Garuda Aerospace, Micron Instruments join hands to develop indigenous defence drone technologies
Chennai, July 3. Drone manufacturer Garuda Aerospace has entered into a strategic partnership with defence engineering firm Micron Instruments to jointly develop next-generation indigenous defence technologies, marking a significant step in India’s push for self-reliance in the aerospace and defence sectors.
The two companies have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) aimed at combining their expertise in unmanned aerial systems, precision engineering and advanced defence manufacturing to accelerate the development of new military technologies.
Under the agreement, the companies will collaborate on product distribution, joint technology development and defence-oriented projects. The partnership is expected to focus on areas such as loitering munitions, payload-enabled unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and advanced unmanned systems for military applications.
The collaboration will bring together Micron Instruments’ capabilities in designing and manufacturing precision fuzes and defence ammunition systems with Garuda Aerospace’s experience in drone technologies and unmanned platforms.
Garuda Aerospace Founder and Chief Executive Officer Agnishwar Jayaprakash said the partnership would create new opportunities in the fields of defence drones, loitering munitions and next-generation unmanned systems while contributing to India’s efforts to achieve technological self-reliance in critical defence technologies.
Micron Instruments Chairman and Managing Director Vikram Sahgal said the future of warfare would increasingly be shaped by innovation, indigenous capabilities and strategic industrial partnerships. He added that the collaboration reflected a shared commitment to developing advanced home-grown solutions for India’s defence ecosystem.
The partnership comes at a time when India’s drone industry is witnessing rapid growth, driven by increasing military and commercial demand as well as government initiatives aimed at promoting domestic manufacturing and reducing import dependence.
Industry estimates project the country’s drone market to exceed ₹20,000 crore in the coming years, creating significant opportunities for indigenous manufacturers and technology developers.
Garuda Aerospace, which is preparing for an initial public offering, has been expanding its presence in the defence and aerospace sectors through strategic partnerships and technology collaborations. The company has previously worked with several major industry players, including Thales and Tata Elxsi, as it seeks to strengthen its position in India’s rapidly evolving defence technology ecosystem.
The latest collaboration with Micron Instruments is expected to further bolster indigenous capabilities in advanced unmanned systems and support the government’s broader vision of achieving greater self-reliance in defence production.