Indian defence-tech startups are gaining serious investor momentum, fueled by rising geopolitical tensions and strong government backing. Recent clashes with Pakistan have highlighted the need for local innovations in drones, cybersecurity, and military AI. Data from Tracxn shows Indian drone startups have raised over $414 million, proving investors see huge potential.
India is now home to 487 defence-tech startups, including prominent names like ideaForge, Garuda Aerospace, etc. 132 of these startups have been funded, with 28 of them successfully raising Series A or higher. While India still lags behind some countries, these startups are building a stronger, self-sufficient defence industry for the future. Here we will discuss the top 10 Indian defence-tech startups leading the charge.
How Tech Startups Are Reinventing India’s Military Power?
India’s military landscape is undergoing a silent revolution, which is driven by agile tech startups solving high-stakes defence challenges. The Ministry of Defence announced its ambitious goal of achieving INR 50,000 crore in defense exports to over 80 countries by 2029. Here is a roundup of India’s most promising defence-tech startups.
ideaForge
AjnaLens
Garuda Aerospace
NewSpace
EyeROV
AGNIT Semiconductors
Constelli
Optimized Electrotech
Big Bang Boom Solutions
Jeh Aerospace
ideaForge
| Founded | 2007 |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Mumbai |
| Founders | Ankit Mehta, Ashish Bhat, Rahul Singh, Vipul Joshi |
ideaForge is one of India’s earliest pioneers in UAV (drone) technology, which is well-known for building high-performance drones for surveillance, intelligence, and reconnaissance. Trusted by armed forces and paramilitary units, its drones are deployed for border security and counterinsurgency missions.
- Specializes in tactical drones with advanced payloads for defence and homeland security
- Supplies UAVs for border surveillance, mapping, and disaster response
- Works closely with the Indian Army, Navy, and paramilitary forces
- Went public in 2023 and has since reported mixed financial performance
- In Q2 FY25, reported a net loss of INR 13.7 Cr, compared to a profit of INR 89.2 Lakh YoY
- Revenue rose 56.52% YoY to INR 37.1 Cr in Q2 FY25 but dropped 57% QoQ from INR 86.2 Cr in Q4 FY24
- Despite quarterly setbacks, it continues to lead India’s defence drone ecosystem
StartupTalkyNitin Konde
AjnaLens
| Founded | 2014 |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Mumbai |
| Founders | Pankaj Raut, Abhishek Tomar, Abhijit Patil |
AjnaLens is rewriting defence training with immersive AR/VR-based simulations that boost mission readiness and real-time battlefield awareness. Its tech is now integrated into soldier training and India’s advanced MANPAD systems.
- Specializes in augmented and virtual reality solutions for combat and training
- Enhancing MANPAD visual systems for better target acquisition
- Holds 15+ patents in immersive and defence-related technologies
- Raised over $4 million in funding
- Backed by investors like LetsVenture
- Works with the Indian Armed Forces for AR-based soldier training modules
Garuda Aerospace
| Founded | 2015 |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Chennai |
| Founder | Agnishwar Jayaprakash |
Garuda Aerospace is one of India’s most prominent drone startups, offering multi-purpose UAVs for defence, disaster response, and border surveillance. Its drones provide real-time reconnaissance and logistics support to boost military operations. The company is rapidly expanding its global footprint, with plans to enter 50+ countries.
- Specializes in aerial surveillance, border patrol, and defence logistics drones
- First international entry: Sri Lanka
- Allocated $10 Mn for global expansion over the next few years
- Raised $22 Mn Series A in Feb 2023 led by SphitiCap
- Secured an additional $3 Mn bridge round in Oct 2023 from Venture Catalysts and WeFounderCircle
- Works with government agencies and disaster response teams across India
NewSpace
| Founded | 2015 |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Bengaluru |
| Founder | Sameer Josh |
NewSpace is pioneering next-gen aerial systems for defence with advanced UAV swarms and autonomous drones built for tactical missions and real-time battlefield intelligence. Its cutting-edge tech blends AI, AR/VR, and collective robotics to boost situational awareness and mission adaptability.
- Specializes in swarm drones, GPS-denied navigation, and aerial ISR systems
- Raised $52 Mn (INR 430.9 Cr) in a 2024 bridge funding roundShowcased a swarm drone deployment in Japan for disaster response
- Expanding globally across Japan, the Middle East, and the US
- Core capabilities include ML, AR/VR, and collective robotics for aerospace ops
StartupTalkyAniket Mandal
EyeROV
| Founded | 2016 |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Kochi |
| Founders | Johns T. Mathai & Kannappa Palaniappan |
EyeROV is India’s first commercial maker of underwater drones (ROVs) built for naval surveillance, mine detection, and maritime inspections. Its drones are already being deployed by DRDO and the Indian Coast Guard, offering real-time underwater intel for critical defence operations.
- Specializes in remote-operated underwater vehicles for defence and industrial use
- Used by DRDO, Indian Coast Guard, and private marine clients
- Offers real-time underwater monitoring and mine detection
- Raised INR 10 Cr (~$1.2 Mn) Pre-Series A in Aug 2024, led by Unicorn India Ventures
- Plans to expand internationally and enhance its marine robotics product line
AGNIT Semiconductors
| Founded | 2017 |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Bengaluru |
| Founders | Digbijoy Neelim Nath, Hareesh Chandrasekar, Madhusudan Atre, Mayank Shrivastava |
AGNIT develops high-efficiency wireless transmitters using Gallium Nitride (GaN) tech to power India’s defence electronics, from radars to communication systems. With expansion plans into EV and consumer markets, AGNIT is scaling fast with investor confidence behind it.
- Focused on GaN-based transmitters for radar, comms, and electronic warfare
- Aims to ship 1 lakh chips in 2025
- Expanding into consumer electronics and EV fast-charging
- Raised $4.87 million in funding
- Recent $3.5 Mn seed round led by 3one4 Capital and Zephyr Peacock
Constelli
| Founded | 2017 |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Hyderabad |
| Founders | Satya Gopal Panigrahi & Avinash Chenreddy |
Constelli is pushing the boundaries of digital signal processing for modern warfare. The startup already works with the Indian Ministry of Defence, DRDO, and global defence contractors.
- Builds drone-based telemetry receivers for remote data acquisition
- Develops electronic warfare testing tools and radar echo simulators
- Enhances the software development lifecycle of EW systems
- Raised $3 Mn in Pre-Series A (Jan 2025) from Pravega Ventures
- Clients include defence agencies in India, South Korea, Australia, and Singapore
Optimized Electrotech
| Founded | 2017 |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Ahmedabad |
| Founder | Sandeep Shah |
Optimized Electrotech builds AI-powered electro-optic surveillance systems for defence and strategic security. Its imaging platforms support night vision, thermal sensing, and long-range monitoring for border control and threat detection.
- Offers solutions for surveillance, reconnaissance, and target acquisition
- Serves armed forces, paramilitary units, and critical infrastructure sectorsFocus on AI integration to counter threats like unauthorised drone incursions
- Received INR 25 Cr government grant in 2024 under ADITI 1.0 iDEX-DIO Challenge
- Products are indigenously designed and developed for high-threat environments
StartupTalkyVivek Dev Jacob
Big Bang Boom Solutions
| Founded | 2018 |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Chennai |
| Founders | Praveen Dwarakanath, Shivaraman Ramaswamy |
Big Bang Boom Solutions focuses on asymmetric combat, situational awareness, and Made-in-India military innovation.
- Specializes in anti-drone tech, bulletproof jackets, and combat support systems
- Strengthens soldier safety and tactical efficiency in high-risk zones
- Raised $30 Mn (INR 250 Cr) in 2024 from Mumbai Angels Network, Vyom Family Office, SBI Startup Branch, and others
- Bagged INR 200+ Cr order from the Indian Air Force and Indian Army in 2024
Jeh Aerospace
| Founded | 2022 |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Hyderabad |
| Founders | Venkatesh Mudragalla & Vishal Sanghavi |
Jeh Aerospace is a rising player in aerospace and defence manufacturing, specialising in aerostructures, aero-engine parts, and precision build-to-print assemblies.
- Expertise in coldworking, wire harness assembly, and NDT testing
- Offers value-added services like painting and anodising
- Raised $2.75 Mn seed funding in Jan 2024 led by General Catalyst
- Building a 1.6 lakh sq ft manufacturing hub in Telangana’s Kothur
- Targeting full-spectrum support for OEMs and tooling companies in aerospace & defence
Conclusion
India's defence-tech ecosystem is stepping up geopolitical tensions, and the drive for self-reliance is escalating. Defence tech startups in India specializing in counter-drone systems are seeing a sharp rise in demand as security concerns grow. According to Tracxn, India has around 136 military tech startups, with well-known names like NewSpace Research and Technologies is one of them.
FAQs
What are the top defence-tech startups in India in 2025?
India’s top defence-tech startups in 2025 include ideaForge, Garuda Aerospace, AjnaLens, NewSpace, EyeROV, AGNIT Semiconductors, Constelli, Optimized Electrotech, Big Bang Boom Solutions, and Jeh Aerospace.
Why are investors interested in defence-tech startups?
Geopolitical tensions and government support are driving investor confidence and funding.
How are drones used in Indian defence?
Drones are used for border surveillance, logistics, mapping, and disaster response.
Original Article
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