Defence officers and management trainees were taken on an in-depth tour of Garuda’s advanced manufacturing and research and development facilities. Key areas showcased included the Drone Assembly and Quality Assurance Zone, the R&D and Simulation/Testing Rooms, and the RPTO Training and Stimulation Facility, where officers gained firsthand exposure to the rigorous production and pilot training protocols essential for modern defence applications.

Garuda Aerospace’s advanced UAV portfolio was showcased, covering a wide range of defence and tactical systems. These included the G500, a high-performance UAV for reconnaissance; Swarm Drones for coordinated multi-drone operations; UGV (Unmanned Ground Vehicle) for terrain-based missions; Agri Drone with dual-use capabilities; Droni Drone for advanced surveillance and tactical response; Canister Dropping Drone for specialised payload delivery; Solar Panel Cleaning Drone for critical infrastructure maintenance; and Delivery Drone for high-precision logistics. Some of these drones, including the “MS Dhoni-inspired” Droni, had recently been launched by the Honourable Union Minister of State for Defence, Shri Sanjay Seth. The Minister unveiled five advanced UAVs designed for defence and disaster response, launched the Garuda Raksha Udaan 2025 Impact Book, and announced free drone training programs for soldiers’ widows and Remote Pilot Certification for defence personnel. The event also marked the establishment of a Defence Drone Lab with 13 JAK Rifles and the foundation stone for a state-of-the-art Defence Park at Cheyyur, reinforcing Garuda’s commitment to Atmanirbhar Bharat and India’s growing drone ecosystem.

“This initiative bridges a crucial gap between defence management education and real-world applications of drone technology. Our objective was to equip India’s future defence leaders with advanced knowledge and practical insights that align with the nation’s evolving security requirements,” said Agnishwar Jayaprakash, Founder and CEO, Garuda Aerospace.

Officers and management trainees from CDM gained first-hand exposure to cutting-edge drone technologies, advanced production, and industry-led innovations that were shaping India’s UAV ecosystem. The sessions also explored opportunities for deeper academia-industry collaboration to accelerate defence technology advancements and contribute to the nation’s strategic capabilities. As an investor and brand ambassador for the company, M.S. Dhoni, a serving honorary Lieutenant Colonel in the Territorial Army, was a key figure in Garuda’s mission to bridge the gap between military needs and drone technology.

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Chennai, India – August 23, 2025 – Following the successful launch of its Agridrone facility Garuda Aerospace, hosted Shri Sanjay Seth, Hon’ble Union Minister of State for Defence, for the inauguration of its Defence Drone Facility at Thalambur, Chennai on August 22, 2025. This landmark occasion underscores Garuda Aerospace’s unwavering commitment to advancing indigenous drone technology, strengthening India’s defence capabilities, and driving the nation’s vision of ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’.

During the ceremony, Shri Sanjay Seth officially inaugurated the facility and unveiled five advanced UAV systems Avalanche Victim Drone– designed for high-altitude search and rescue missions; Swarm Drone– enabling coordinated strike and surveillance capabilities, Jawan Drone– tailored for frontline soldier support and tactical operations, Canister Dropping Drone– for rapid battlefield payload deployment and Droni 2.0– the upgraded, multipurpose UAV for defence and civilian applications each designed for critical defence and disaster response applications.

The Minister also launched the Garuda Raksha Udaan 2025 Impact Book, highlighting Garuda Aerospace’s journey, key milestones, and contributions to India’s defence preparedness and drone technology evolution. Further strengthening its research and development ecosystem, Garuda Aerospace announced the establishment of a Defence Drone Lab in collaboration with the 13 JAK Rifles (Ladakh and Gwalior) to foster decentralised innovation for mission-specific requirements. The company also introduced a Free Remote Pilot Certification (RPC) Program for Indian defence personnel, with the first batch of Jawans receiving their certifications during the event. Additional initiatives unveiled included the launch of Garuda Akash Raksha Vans (GAR Vans) mobile drone deployment, maintenance, and repair centres designed to support defence commands and units across the country and free drone training programs for the widows of fallen heroes, underscoring Garuda Aerospace’s commitment to social impact and support for India’s defence community.

Agnishwar Jayaprakash, Founder and CEO, Garuda Aerospace, said, “At Garuda Aerospace, our mission is to make India self-reliant in defence drone technology. Secure indigenous production, accelerated R&D, and rigorous multi-theatre testing are not just strategies, they are imperatives to safeguard our nation’s sovereignty. By 2027, we aim to ensure that India is not only prepared for the future of drone warfare but is also setting global benchmarks in innovation and reliability”

“Today marks a historic step in India’s journey towards Atmanirbharta in defence and technology with the inauguration of Garuda Aerospace’s world-class drone facility in Chennai. This hub is not just about manufacturing advanced UAV systems; it represents a complete ecosystem of design, R&D, incubation, certification, and production integrating academia, industry, and defence. Inspired by the vision articulated by Shri Rajnath Singhji at the Delhi Defence Dialogue 2024, it demonstrates how indigenous innovation, driven by young engineers and entrepreneurs, can meet India’s modern defence needs while also serving civilian applications in agriculture, disaster management, and infrastructure. The synergy between Agni College of Technology and Garuda Aerospace highlights how technical education, research, and industrial capability can align with Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat to build niche technologies, ensure quality standards, and create global leadership in drones. The Ministry of Defence is committed to supporting such initiatives that safeguard our skies, empower our armed forces, and advance India’s position as a future global drone hub.” Shri Sanjay Seth, Hon’ble Union Minister of State for Defence.

Further cementing its role in India’s UAV growth story, Garuda Aerospace announced the laying of the foundation stone for a state-of-the-art Defence Park at Cheyyur, Tamil Nadu. Designed to serve as a hub for drone innovation, manufacturing, and testing, the facility will foster a robust ecosystem for defence-focused UAV solutions. Spread over 76 acres along the East Coast Road (ECR), the Cheyyur facility is envisioned to become India’s most advanced indigenous hub for AI-powered, precision weaponized drone systems.

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