Operation Sindoor: Turning Point for Military Drones

After the terrorist killings in Pahalgam, Indian forces relied heavily on indigenous drone companies for precision strikes against terror camps in Pakistan. Operation Sindoor marked a new era where Indian-made defense drones like loitering munitions, swarm drones, and surveillance UAVs played a critical role in destroying key targets and providing real-time intelligence to Indian defense agencies.

Raphe mPhibr: India’s Aerospace Funding Record

Founded in 2017, Raphe mPhibr Drone emerged as a leader in surveillance and defense drone manufacturing with headquarters and a R&D campus in Noida. In June 2025, the company raised $100 million (Rs. 855 crore)—the largest private capital round ever for an Indian aerospace firm, reflecting growing investor confidence in homegrown defense technology.

Raphe mPhibr produces a range of platforms for surveillance, logistics, maritime reconnaissance, and large-scale swarm operations. Its clients include the Indian Army, Navy, Air Force, as well as international customers in Paris and Dubai.

Indian Drone Companies in Military Operations

Operation Sindoor showcased the effectiveness of drones built by several Indian firms:

• Zuppa: Known for Hawk, Scout, and Eagle drones, these systems provided hackproof surveillance and helped jam GPS signals.
• NewSpace and Alpha Design: Developed autonomous swarm drones and SkyStriker loitering munition for deep-strike missions and electronic warfare.
• Raphe mPhibr: Specialized in swarm drone technology, AI-enabled target recognition, and proprietary engineering with no reliance on foreign suppliers, ensuring true Atmanirbhar Bharat capability. Their campus covers advanced metal, composite, electronics, and engine development.

Indian Innovation Reaches Global Markets

Indian drone companies have found clients abroad—including Paris and Dubai—demonstrating rising international interest and the growing reputation of Indian defense technologies. With over nine indigenous drone platforms and more than one million kilometers of flight testing, Raphe mPhibr is valued at $836 million and remains majority Indian-owned.

The Future of Indian Defense Drones

Rapid growth in indigenous drone tech is transforming India’s aerial defence and positioning the nation as a global force in unmanned warfare. Indian companies have also started exploring deep penetration, swarm intelligence for maritime surveillance, and electronic warfare capabilities, giving India a strategic advantage across borders and oceans.

Indian drone development for defense, seen in operations like Sindoor, is an inspiring example of technology meeting urgent national needs and quickly evolving for global partnerships and future warfare.

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