Launch · Agriculture & Food Systems

Garuda Aerospace opens agri-drone facility, launches 300 centres

By Startup Enthusiast · 13 June 2025

What they do

Garuda Aerospace makes drones for agriculture, defence, and other sectors

It opened an agri-drone facility near Chennai and launched 300 Centres of Excellence across India

The facility will produce 7 subsystems and 33 parts, supporting the government's Atmanirbhar Bharat campaign

Garuda Aerospace opened an Agri-Drone Indigenisation facility at Thalambur, near Chennai, on 12 June 2025.
Union Minister of State for Rural Development Kamlesh Paswan inaugurated the facility.
The company also launched 300 Centres of Excellence across India in partnership with educational institutions and industry partners.
It launched a DGCA-approved Train-the-Trainer (TTT) program to train educators and professionals as certified drone instructors.
A live demonstration of agri-drones by Drone Didis was held at the launch.

The facility is India's first hub for design, manufacturing, and testing of advanced Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS).
Production at the facility falls under the Centre's Atmanirbhar Bharat campaign.
Garuda Aerospace is a beneficiary of government schemes: Namo Drone Didi, SMAM subsidy, and PLI.
It is India's first drone company to receive dual DGCA certifications in both manufacturing and training.

The facility is 35,000 sq ft and will produce 7 subsystems and 33 parts for UAS.
Garuda Aerospace has delivered 4,000 drones so far.
It supplied 450 of 500 drones under the Namo Drone Didi scheme and is ready to supply an additional 2,000 drones.
The 300 Centres of Excellence will serve as after-sales support service centers and train drone pilots.
The TTT program trains educators and professionals to become certified drone instructors.

Product: Manufacturing and development of autonomous drones for agriculture, defense, and material handling; proprietary drone OS and R&D capabilities
Customers: Government agencies, defense sector, agricultural stakeholders, logistics operators in India and international markets
How it makes money: Direct sales of drones, software licensing, and training services for government and enterprise customers
What sets it apart: Proprietary defense-grade drone technology with presence in 50 countries; demonstrated capabilities for flood relief and disaster management