7303-017-062

Drone - News & Announcements

Stay informed with the latest updates, events, and developments from our training programs and drone/aviation services.

Skye Air Mobility Got USD 9 Million Funding to Scale Hyperlocal Drone Delivery Network

Skye Air Mobility Got USD 9 Million Funding to Scale Hyperlocal Drone Delivery Network

Skye Air Mobility has raised USD 9 million in a Series B funding round led by IAN Alpha Fund. There was also participation from AVNM Ventures, Faad Capital, Bajaj Capital etc. The funding will be used by the company to expand its hyperlocal drone delivery network and strengthen its autonomous logistics infrastructure as it looks to scale operations across major cities. India’s last-mile logistics market reached USD 6.5 billion and is projected to grow to USD 24 billion by 2033, according to a market report. With mounting demand for faster and more effective deliveries, drone-enabled logistics is a promising solution. Skye Air Mobility is building a drone-based delivery network integrating autonomous drones with airspace management systems and ground-based logistics infrastructure. The company has completed over 3.6 million autonomous deliveries in just over 2 years, while eliminating more than 1,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions. Its drones can carry payloads of up to 10 kg, allowing use cases ranging from e-commerce and pharma deliveries to industrial supply chains. The CEO of Skye Air Mobility said that the capital will be used to deepen the physical AI stack and connect autonomous drones, intelligent airspace management through Skye UTM, and AI-powered ground robotics into a single, seamless delivery chain. A key component of Skye Air’s system is its network-driven delivery architecture, which integrates drones with ground logistics through a hub-pod-walker model designed for dense urban environments. The company also operates Skye UTM, an AI-powered aerial traffic management platform allowing coordinated drone operations across urban airspace. The company currently works with enterprise customers, including Blue Dart Express, Shiprocket, Flipkart, Tata 1MG, Zepto and Frido, across e-commerce, healthcare and supply chain logistics. With the new funding, Skye Air plans to expand beyond Delhi-NCR into Bengaluru, Mumbai, Pune, Hyderabad, and Kolkata, while further strengthening its drone operations and autonomous logistics technology. Source: Business Line

Saheel Singh 12 Mar 2026
DRDO's Ghatak Combat Drone Programme Gathers Pace; 60 Units Planned

DRDO's Ghatak Combat Drone Programme Gathers Pace; 60 Units Planned

India’s indigenous stealth flying-wing combat drone programme received a boost, with the Defence Procurement Board of the Defence Ministry recommending that the proposal to procure 60 Ghatak combat drones, currently under development by DRDO, be approved. The programme is waiting for approval from the Defence Acquisition Council. Ghatak is a stealth drone, based on a flying-wing configuration. It is intended for low radar cross-section and internal weapon carriage. Once operational, Ghatak could participate in deep-strike missions to hit high-value targets without risking pilots' lives. Operating autonomously or alongside manned aircraft, it could also destroy enemy air defences, such as radar stations and missile systems and strike strategic infrastructure with precision-guided munitions. In November, while disclosing that the Indian Air Force had drawn up a technology and capability road map titled “Vision 2047”, Chief of the Air Staff A P Singh had said unmanned systems will not fully replace manned fighter jets in the near future. However, he emphasized that the Air Force fully backed the Ghatak UCAV programme. On December 15, 2023, DRDO conducted a flight trial of the “Autonomous Flying Wing Technology Demonstrator”, described in an official release as an indigenous high-speed flying-wing UAV. The demonstrator was a precursor to the Ghatak UCAV. The trial, carried out in a tailless configuration at the Aeronautical Test Range in Karnataka’s Chitradurga, was described as marking India’s entry into an “elite club of states to have mastered the controls for the flying-wing technology”. The drone, designed and developed by DRDO’s Aeronautical Development Establishment, also demonstrated autonomous landing without the requirement for ground radars, infrastructure or pilot intervention, allowing takeoff and landing from any runway with surveyed coordinates. The drone’s maiden flight took place in July 2022. The prototype is made of an indigenously developed carbon composite material, with the structure laden with sensors for health monitoring. Source: Business Standard

Saheel Singh 10 Mar 2026
AVATAAR: India’s Drone That Flies in the Air and Dives Underwater

AVATAAR: India’s Drone That Flies in the Air and Dives Underwater

AquaAirX Autonomous Systems, a Bengaluru-based deep-tech startup, has developed a drone that can operate in both air and water. The drone is called AVATAAR and is intended for surveillance and defence-related missions. The company wants to build autonomous machines capable of operating in oceans, rivers and coastal areas. The company came into the limelight recently after raising INR 12.5 crore in a seed funding round. It received the funding from Rainmatter, Zerodha's investment arm. Rainmatter generally supports new technology-driven ideas and startups developing advanced solutions. Drone in Air and Underwater The drone is different from others because it can move between land and water. It can take off like a quadcopter and fly to the mission's location. After reaching the water surface, it can land and then immerse itself to perform underwater tasks. This makes it very useful for monitoring coastal areas and the ocean. It can monitor the happenings above and below the water. The drone can smoothly switch between air and water operations without any external help. The drone has also reached Technology Readiness Level 6, meaning the drone's full working prototype has already been tested in real-world conditions. It shows the machine's transition from lab testing to practical use. Protection Features of the Drone It is not easy to work underwater because seawater can damage equipment. To cope with this issue, the drone is built from rust-resistant carbon fibre. The drone also has special coatings to protect its sensors and electronic systems from salt deposits and underwater debris. It also has a special system that helps it move underwater. This system can create 3D maps of objects underwater.  Consequently, operators can easily inspect pipelines, cables, and other underwater structures. Defence and Rescue Missions The AVATAAR drone can be used for various missions by the armed forces and other agencies. Surveillance is one of its important roles. The drone can monitor ports and berths to find possible threats. It can also be useful for precision loitering and target-acquisition missions. It can also inspect underwater platforms, pipelines, cables and other assets while collecting autonomous data. Alongside defence work, the drone can also assist in search-and-rescue missions. It can help locate people or objects in complex surface and underwater environments. The drone can also support intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance. In these missions, the drone can provide instantaneous information throughout littoral and near-shore operations. Source: The Defense Post

Saheel Singh 10 Mar 2026
Vice President of India Launches the Drone Designed by Garuda Aerospace

Vice President of India Launches the Drone Designed by Garuda Aerospace

The Indian Vice President, C.P. Radhakrishnan, has revealed the drone designed precisely for Drone Aided Elephant Darting by Garuda Aerospace, marking a substantial achievement in the use of ‘Made in India’ drones in wildlife conservation and human-wildlife conflict resolution situations. The launch ceremony was held in the presence of the Governor of Kerala, Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar and the Union Minister, Suresh Gopi. The drone is designed to support the elephant darting process by facilitating aerial-assisted tranquilization with greater accuracy. This not only reduces risks to forest personnel on the ground but also minimizes interference with the elephants in dangerous situations. Garuda Aerospace designed this drone for the Tamil Nadu Forest Department almost 10 years ago. Since then, there has been continuous improvement through innovation to meet the Forest Department's requirements. The latest version of this designed drone is the zenith of this constant process of improvement and upgrade to suit the requirements of the Forest Department. Garuda Aerospace has previously provided more than a few drones to prominent conservation organizations such as the World Wildlife Fund and several Forest Departments across India. Due to the increasing human-elephant conflicts, the government of India continues to seek answers to this problem. Drone-assisted elephant darting offers a more effective, competent and humane solution to this problem. This drone is evidence of Garuda Aerospace’s dedication to using drones for a cause, for serving the nation, to serve the community and to serve the greater good in wildlife conservation, disaster management, agri-industries and the military. Garuda Aerospace is India’s leading Drone tech start-up, disrupting two major multi-billion-dollar sectors: precision agriculture tech and Industry 4.0 upgradation. Garuda Aerospace is asset-light, recession-proof and agnostic and focuses on eliminating labourers in the agricultural field with drones, designing, building and customizing drones. Source: BIS Infotech

Saheel Singh 06 Mar 2026
India Develops Autonomous Swarm Interceptor 'YAMA' to Counter Drone Attacks

India Develops Autonomous Swarm Interceptor 'YAMA' to Counter Drone Attacks

With drones reshaping modern warfare worldwide, India has developed an advanced autonomous swarm interceptor, YAMA. The system is made by the private defence company Flying Wedge Defence and Aerospace, which has successfully conducted the first test of India's first autonomous swarm interceptor under its FWD programme. Drones have done a work of note on modern battlefields. From the ongoing tensions between Iran and the US-Israel bloc to the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, along with last year's military battle between India and Pakistan, drones were key in surveillance and strikes. This has powered the global demand for anti-drone technologies to new highs. During the Iran, US-Israel confrontation, a key development was that an Iranian drone worth 20,000 dollars evaded a 4-million-dollar US Patriot interceptor. This signalled that future wars might well be decided by who has the more effective and affordable anti-drone defence, rather than just by high-value missile systems. Private Indian Defence Firm Tests 'YAMA' Successfully Concentrating on this fast-changing nature of warfare, Bengaluru-based private defence firm Flying Wedge Defence and Aerospace has successfully tested India's first autonomous swarm interceptor. The company has named the interceptor 'YAMA', inspired by the mythological figure Yamaraj. This marks a milestone in India’s defence ecosystem, mainly in the growing participation of private companies in the expansion of high-end military technology. Key features of the 'YAMA' interceptor The 'YAMA' interceptor is specifically designed to neutralize flying warheads and hostile drone swarms. With a cost of just under $10,000 per unit, 'YAMA' offers interception capabilities at up to 100 times the cost of conventional systems. A video has also been released of the successful trial, showing 'YAMA' intercepting drone swarms with precision and destroying them in the air itself.   The officials are of the opinion that this performance demonstrates that low-cost, high-efficiency interception can greatly reinforce India's air defence architecture. Source: India TV

Saheel Singh 06 Mar 2026
Singapore’s Thakral Group to Manufacture Drone Components in India

Singapore’s Thakral Group to Manufacture Drone Components in India

Singapore’s Thakral Corporation would commence in-house manufacturing of drone components in May, because of the market's growth potential of USD 11 billion by the end of this decade, up from USD 500 million in 2024. To expand in the enterprise drone space and meet rising demand for industrial and commercial drones, it is exploring the manufacturing of enterprise-grade and specialized drones in India. The Group said it can capture growth in the agricultural drone segment through Bharat Skytech, one of its subsidiaries, which manufactures and supplies drone components to domestic producers. Thakral has a tie-up with the DJI Group   With expansion in mind, Thakral plans to open 20-30 DJI retail stores across India and other South Asian nations in the next 2-3 years, including flagship stores in major cities, starting in 1H2026. The group is capitalizing on India’s drone ecosystem and cited an industry report projecting the country’s drone market to grow from USD 500 million in FY2024 to USD 11 billion by FY2030.   Being the official distributor of Nespresso in India, the company continues to expand the brand’s presence by opening its second boutique at Ambience Mall, Gurugram, in March 2026. Other boutiques and pop-up stores are planned for Mumbai and Bengaluru later this year. These initiatives will further strengthen brand reach and drive revenue growth, said Thakral. Thakral is also driving long-term growth with real estate and healthcare in India The Group has been involved in a 21-acre mixed-use healthcare-led development site in Gurugram, part of the National Capital Region, since 2024. The site, with more than 2.5 million sq. ft. of development potential, will include a hospital, a health and wellness centre, and residential components. Through this initiative, it will establish a mix of recurring income and development revenue. The Group was in advanced discussions with a Tier 1 hospital operator and residential development partners to mitigate operational risks and manage project costs. Considering the scale of the project and its location in a high-growth corridor in the NCR, the Group saw long-term value-creation potential as development progressed. Thakral reported unaudited results for the year ended Dec 31, 2025. Revenue rose 42% year-on-year to SGD 411.3 million, and net profit increased fivefold to an all-time high of SGD 170.9 million. Source: The Tribune

Saheel Singh 27 Feb 2026
Indian Army to Induct Dedicated Drone Platoons Across Combat Units

Indian Army to Induct Dedicated Drone Platoons Across Combat Units

The Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Command, Lieutenant General Manoj Kumar Katiyar, General on 26 th February 2026, said the Indian Army is raising dedicated 'Ashin' drone platoons across infantry, artillery and armoured regiments to reinforce drone warfare competencies. According to the CO, specialized 'Bhairav' units will be tasked with deep operations in hostile territory, adding that the Army has rationalized its formations to recognize the growing standing of drones in contemporary warfare. He said that drone use is extremely important. Therefore, drone usage is being integrated across all units, right down to the smallest sub-units. The dedicated 'Ashin' drone platoons within infantry battalions have been created and similar specialized platoons will be raised in every regiment. Stressing operational readiness, he said that future conflicts might need swift action to protect troops and conduct precision strikes. These specialized battalions will further enhance the Army’s strike capability and special operations capability.   In the near future, small, agile teams that can operate independently and penetrate deep into enemy territory will be required, and the 'e Bhairav' units will be employed for processes deep inside enemy territories. Lt Gen Katiyar also revealed that most drones on display were manufactured in Western Command workshops. The Western Command has started fabricating drones within the Army itself and is producing them on a large scale. The Western Command understands its operational requirements and technology needs and can build them more efficiently in its workshops. Talking about Operation Sindoor, the Army Commander repeated that India had targeted terrorist bases, and when retaliated against, struck military and air bases in response.   Source: Business Standard

Saheel Singh 27 Feb 2026
UP Deputy CM Holds Key Engagements in Germany; Promotes Investment & Tech Collaboration

UP Deputy CM Holds Key Engagements in Germany; Promotes Investment & Tech Collaboration

Uttar Pradesh’s Deputy CM, Keshav Prasad Maurya, emphasized the state’s growing economic potential on his visit to Germany. ​He said that the state is quickly becoming India’s second-largest economy because of improved ease of doing business, strengthened law and order and robust infrastructure development. ​ It was also noted that the UP’s growing expressway network, ongoing airport development and emerging industrial corridors are enticing the interest of global investors. ​ Deep bilateral cooperation between Germany and UP across key sectors, such as technological exchange, skill development, and manufacturing, was also discussed. ​ The deputy CM underlined the transformative journey of the state under PM Narendra Modi’s guidance, from a traditional UP to a dynamic enterprise state, and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to offer all possible support to international investors seeking opportunities in the region. ​ A strategic meeting with representatives from leading German-Israeli drone and aerospace firms, such as Quantum-Systems GmbH, System Helsing, Dronivo GmbH, SIA Origin Robotics and Aronia. ​ The companies briefed on their know-how in high-altitude drones, advanced aerial surveillance, defence-grade reconnaissance and drones with a range of about 160 kilometres. ​ Their technologies serve Spanish and German armed forces and support applications in precision agriculture, land surveying and disaster management. ​ The Government of Uttar Pradesh is formally inviting German firms to set up manufacturing units and R&D hubs in the state. ​ Details were also shared regarding investment-friendly policies, strong industrial infrastructure, superior logistics connectivity and a large, skilled workforce. ​ Maurya described UP as emerging as India’s leading hub for defence production, aerospace manufacturing and emerging technologies, with drones and unmanned systems forming an important part of future economic and security frameworks. ​ These kinds of investments will create high-skilled jobs for the state's youth while fast-tracking tech-driven growth by integrating the manufacturing of electronics, data, Artificial Intelligence and the drone ecosystem. Both sides reached a positive consensus on lasting collaboration in manufacturing, research, skill development, technical training and technology transfer. ​ This partnership between Germany and UP reinforces India’s aerospace and drone ecosystem and positions the state at the forefront of drone innovation. Source: Times of India

Saheel Singh 25 Feb 2026
half-star-solid phone