In an interview, Agnishwar Jayaprakash, Founder and CEO of Garuda Aerospace, shared with TimesTech the company’s blueprint for IPO readiness, global expansion, and innovation in drone technology. From scaling manufacturing and advancing AI integration to launching a drone aggregation platform, Agnishwar outlines how Garuda is not only shaping India’s drone ecosystem but also setting its sights on transforming global service delivery.
Read the full interview here:
TimesTech: Garuda Aerospace has seen impressive growth since its inception. What are your key strategies as you move towards a potential IPO and global expansion?
Agnishwar: Our core strategy revolves around a multi-pronged approach that balances aggressive market expansion with a strong focus on core capabilities. We are heavily investing in enhancing our manufacturing capacity, aiming to significantly scale annual drone production. This is coupled with a robust commitment to research and development, particularly in indigenizing drone systems to align with the ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ vision. For global expansion, we are actively identifying key international markets and forging strategic partnerships to ensure our solutions resonate with diverse needs worldwide. Our focus remains on building a sustainable and scalable model, ensuring that our growth is not just rapid but also profitable. While we cannot disclose too many details about our IPO plans, our sustained financial performance and strategic investments are geared towards preparing us for the next phase of our growth journey.
TimesTech: As a pioneer in the Drone-as-a-Service model, how is Garuda integrating next-gen AI and automation into its technology stack?
Agnishwar: At Garuda Aerospace, AI and automation are not just imagination, they are fundamental to our Drone-as-a-Service (DaaS) model. We are integrating advanced AI for enhanced data analytics, predictive maintenance, and autonomous navigation. This allows our drones to perform tasks with greater precision, efficiency, and safety, whether it’s for precision agriculture, industrial inspections, or surveillance. Our technology stack leverages machine learning algorithms to process vast amounts of aerial data, transforming it into actionable insights for our clients. Furthermore, we are developing sophisticated automation capabilities to streamline drone operations, from automated flight planning to real-time anomaly detection, reducing human intervention and increasing operational scalability.
TimesTech: With 400+ drones and 500 trained pilots across 84 cities, how do you balance rapid scale with sustained profitability in such a capital-intensive sector?
Agnishwar: Balancing rapid scale with sustained profitability in a capital-intensive sector like ours requires meticulous planning and execution. We adopt an asset-light model where possible, focusing on design, software, and system integration while optimizing our manufacturing processes. Our strong emphasis on indigenization reduces import dependency and costs. We diversify our revenue streams beyond just drone sales to include a comprehensive DaaS offering, pilot training programs, and specialized services across various sectors. Furthermore, our operational efficiency is driven by optimizing flight paths, minimizing downtime, and leveraging technology to maximize each drone’s utility. Strategic partnerships and a focus on long-term contracts also contribute significantly to our sustained profitability.
TimesTech: Can you share more about your newly launched drone aggregation platform and how it aims to transform service delivery in this space?
Agnishwar: Our soon to be launched drone aggregation platform will be a game-changer for service delivery in the drone space. It will act as a centralized hub connecting demand with supply, effectively bringing together our vast fleet of drones and network of skilled pilots with clients who require drone services. This platform will allow for seamless booking, deployment, and management of drone operations, making our services more accessible and efficient for businesses and government entities alike.
TimesTech: How is Garuda shaping India’s drone policy landscape, and what role do you envision for the company in the defence and agriculture sectors going forward?
Agnishwar: Garuda Aerospace is actively involved in shaping India’s drone policy landscape, working closely with government bodies to foster a supportive and progressive regulatory environment. We provide insights and feedback based on our operational experience, contributing to policies that promote indigenous manufacturing, skill development, and widespread adoption of drone technology. In the defense sector, we envision Garuda as a strategic player, strengthening India’s self-reliance in advanced drone systems for surveillance, logistics, and tactical operations. We are investing heavily in R&D to develop cutting-edge solutions for the armed forces. For agriculture, we see drones as instrumental in revolutionizing farming practices. Our ‘Kisan Drones’ are already transforming precision agriculture, enhancing crop yield, and optimizing resource usage. We aim to make drone technology affordable and accessible to every farmer, contributing to India’s food security and rural empowerment.
TimesTech: What are your key focus areas for FY25–26 in terms of manufacturing, innovation, and international demand?
Agnishwar: For FY25-26, our key focus areas are clearly defined. In manufacturing, we are committed to significantly ramping up our production capacity, with a target of increasing annual drone output to meet the growing domestic and international demand. Innovation remains at the forefront, with significant investments in R&D to develop next-generation drones, particularly those with enhanced AI capabilities, longer endurance, and specialized payloads for diverse applications. We are also accelerating the indigenization of drone components to reduce reliance on imports. In terms of international demand, our strategy is to expand our presence in key global markets, targeting exports to a growing number of countries. This involves forging strategic alliances and partnerships to ensure our world-class, indigenous drone technologies make a significant impact on the global stage.
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