MUMBAI, Feb 12: Tata Elxsi, a leading design and technology service provider, has joined forces with drone manufacturer Garuda Aerospace to establish a design, engineering, and certification center aimed at developing homegrown drone technologies.
The center, for which a memorandum of understanding was signed at the ongoing Aero India 2025 defense and aerospace exhibition in Bengaluru, will focus on technologies tailored for Indian defense applications, agriculture, and smart city initiatives, aligning with the ‘Make in India’ program, as stated by Tata Elxsi on Wednesday.
At Aero India 2025, Tata Elxsi and Garuda Aerospace are displaying prototypes, designs, and operational unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The event also features a demonstration of indigenously developed UAV components, showcasing India’s progress in autonomous UAV technologies.
Within this partnership, Tata Elxsi will spearhead the design, development, testing, and certification of UAV subsystems, utilizing its strengths in avionics, miniaturization, ground control systems, secure communication, and energy efficiency.
Garuda Aerospace, with its robust presence in the defense sector as an original equipment manufacturer, will focus on business development and project delivery.
The drones produced through this initiative will address various needs such as payload management, goods delivery, precision agriculture, and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) operations, serving essential functions in multiple industries.
“Our collaboration with Garuda Aerospace is a significant milestone for India’s aerospace ambitions. By advancing AI-powered UAV technologies, we are enhancing India’s defense capabilities and reinforcing self-reliance in aerospace innovation,” stated Jayaraj Rajapandian, Head of Aerospace, Rail & Off-highway at Tata Elxsi.
The Indian defense forces and Border Security Force are anticipated to be primary beneficiaries of this partnership, gaining access to advanced UAV technologies.
This initiative is also expected to generate new job opportunities and contribute to workforce development in the aerospace sector.
“This strategic alliance with Tata Elxsi underscores our dedication to indigenous innovation. Over the next three to five years, we will concentrate on fully domestic production and supply of airborne and ground systems, reinforcing India’s dominance in UAV technology,” said Agnishwar Jayaprakash, Founder & CEO of Garuda Aerospace. (PTI)
