In an interview with TimesTech, Agnishwar Jayaprakash, Founder and CEO of Garuda Aerospace, shares insights on the company’s strategic collaborations with global defence giants, transformative impact in agri-tech, and innovative approach to scaling drone manufacturing and training. From defence surveillance to precision farming, Agnishwar outlines how Garuda is empowering India’s UAV ecosystem while eyeing global expansion in both commercial and defence drone markets.
Read the full interview here:
TimesTech: Garuda Aerospace has emerged as a key player in India’s defence drone ecosystem. Can you elaborate on your recent collaborations with global defence giants like Elbit Systems and Lockheed Martin Canada, and how these partnerships are boosting India’s UAV capabilities?
Agnishwar: Our recent collaborations with global defence behemoths like Elbit Systems and Lockheed Martin Canada mark a significant leap forward in bolstering India’s unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) capabilities. Our partnership with Elbit Systems focuses on advanced electro-optical payloads and integration for our tactical drones, enhancing their surveillance, reconnaissance, and target acquisition capabilities. This synergy allows us to offer cutting-edge solutions tailored to the specific needs of the Indian armed forces. Simultaneously, our collaboration with Lockheed Martin Canada centers on integrating our indigenous drone platforms with their advanced command and control systems. This ensures seamless data sharing, enhanced situational awareness, and improved operational efficiency for our defence forces. These strategic alliances are not merely about technology transfer; they are about co-development, leveraging the strengths of global leaders with our deep understanding of the Indian defence landscape, ultimately contributing to a more self-reliant and technologically advanced defence ecosystem.
TimesTech: Your journey, from a UN youth delegate and international swimmer to building India’s largest drone startup, is inspiring. What inspired you to pivot from global advocacy and innovation education (via Ignite India) to drone tech and defence innovation?
Agnishwar: My journey from a UN youth delegate and international swimmer to the helm of Garuda Aerospace might seem like a significant pivot, but for me, it has been a consistent pursuit of impact and nation-building. My time at the UN instilled in me a deep understanding of global challenges and the need for innovative solutions. Through Ignite India, I witnessed the immense potential of young minds and the power of technology to drive change. The shift to drone technology and defence innovation was inspired by the realization that UAVs possess a transformative potential across various sectors, from agriculture to security. Recognizing India’s growing need for indigenous drone capabilities and the potential to empower farmers and strengthen our defence infrastructure, I felt a compelling urge to channel my passion for innovation and problem-solving into this dynamic field. It’s about leveraging technology to address critical national needs and contribute to India’s growth story.
TimesTech: The Garuda Kisan Drone Yatra, flagged off by PM Modi, was a massive undertaking. What impact has this initiative had on India’s agri-tech landscape, and how are Garuda’s drones making agriculture smarter and more accessible for Indian farmers?
Agnishwar: The Garuda Kisan Drone Yatra, flagged off by our Hon’ble Prime Minister, was indeed a monumental undertaking, and its impact on India’s agri-tech landscape has been substantial. This initiative served as a nationwide demonstration of the transformative power of drone technology in agriculture. By showcasing the capabilities of our Garuda Kisan Drones for tasks such as precision spraying of fertilizers and pesticides, land surveying, and crop health monitoring, we have directly exposed farmers to the benefits of smart agriculture. This has led to increased awareness and adoption of drone technology, empowering farmers to optimize resource utilization, reduce input costs, and enhance crop yields. Our drones are making agriculture smarter and more accessible by providing timely and accurate data, enabling informed decision-making and bridging the technological gap in rural India. We’ve witnessed firsthand the positive impact on farmers’ livelihoods and the overall efficiency of the agricultural sector.
TimesTech: Defence and precision agriculture are two vastly different sectors. How does Garuda Aerospace balance innovation, R&D, and scalability across these domains while remaining asset-light and recession-proof?
Agnishwar: Balancing innovation, R&D, and scalability across the seemingly disparate domains of defence and precision agriculture requires a strategic and agile approach. Our core strength lies in our ability to leverage a common technological foundation while tailoring solutions to the specific requirements of each sector. For instance, our expertise in drone design, autonomous flight control systems, and data analytics is applicable across both defence surveillance drones and agricultural spraying drones. We maintain an asset-light model by focusing on design, software development, and system integration, while strategically partnering for manufacturing and specialized component sourcing. This allows us to scale production efficiently without incurring excessive capital expenditure. Furthermore, the diverse application of our technology across essential sectors like defence and agriculture inherently makes us more resilient to economic fluctuations, contributing to our recession-proof nature. Our continuous investment in R&D ensures we remain at the forefront of innovation in both domains.
TimesTech: You’ve built an expansive ecosystem, with over 30 drone types, 50 services, 750+ clients, and international presence. What challenges did you face while scaling up manufacturing and pilot training, and how do partnerships with institutions like IIT Roorkee and IISC Bangalore contribute?
Agnishwar: Scaling up manufacturing and pilot training presented its own set of challenges, primarily involving establishing robust supply chains, ensuring quality control at scale, and developing a skilled pilot workforce. To address these, we have forged strategic partnerships across the ecosystem. Collaborations with institutions like IIT Roorkee and IISC Bangalore are crucial for research, development, and talent acquisition. These partnerships provide us with access to cutting-edge research and a pipeline of highly skilled engineers and researchers. On the training front, we have established a comprehensive network of drone pilot training centers across the country, adhering to DGCA guidelines, to create a skilled and certified workforce capable of operating our diverse range of drones. We are also investing in automation and efficient manufacturing processes to meet the growing demand while maintaining stringent quality standards.
TimesTech: With MS Dhoni as your brand ambassador and major collaborations with firms like Cognizant and Rallis India, what’s next for Garuda Aerospace in terms of product innovation and global expansion, especially in the defence and commercial UAV sectors?
Agnishwar: Having a visionary like MS Dhoni as our brand ambassador has significantly amplified our reach and credibility across the nation. His association resonates with trust, reliability, and performance – values that are core to Garuda Aerospace. Our collaborations with industry leaders like Cognizant and Rallis India are driving innovation and market penetration in specific sectors. Cognizant is helping us leverage data analytics and AI to enhance our drone services, while our partnership with Rallis India is focused on developing and deploying advanced agricultural drone solutions. Looking ahead, our focus in product innovation will be on developing more sophisticated and specialized UAVs for both defence and commercial applications, including advancements in autonomous capabilities, payload integration, and endurance. Globally, we are actively exploring expansion opportunities in strategic markets, particularly in Southeast Asia and the Middle East, for both our defence and commercial drone solutions, aiming to establish Garuda Aerospace as a global leader in the UAV industry.
