How Defence Startups and Investor Backing Gas India’s Fast Defence Tech Surge

Indian defence-tech startups are gaining critical investor momentum, fueled by rising geopolitical tensions and powerful authorities backing. Current clashes with Pakistan have highlighted the necessity for native improvements in drones, cybersecurity, and navy AI. Information from Tracxn reveals Indian drone startups have raised over $414 million, proving traders see enormous potential.

India is now house to 487 defence-tech startups, together with distinguished names like ideaForge, Garuda Aerospace, and many others. 132 of those startups have been funded, with 28 of them efficiently elevating Collection A or increased. Whereas India nonetheless lags behind some nations, these startups are constructing a stronger, self-sufficient defence business for the long run. Right here we’ll focus on the highest 10 Indian defence-tech startups main the cost.

How Tech Startups Are Reinventing India’s Navy Energy?

India’s navy panorama is present process a silent revolution, which is pushed by agile tech startups fixing high-stakes defence challenges. The Ministry of Defence introduced its bold objective of reaching INR 50,000 crore in protection exports to over 80 nations by 2029. Here’s a roundup of India’s most promising defence-tech startups.

ideaForge
AjnaLens
Garuda Aerospace
NewSpace
EyeROV
AGNIT Semiconductors
Constelli
Optimized Electrotech
Massive Bang Increase Options
Jeh Aerospace

ideaForge

Based	2007
Headquarters	Mumbai
Founders	Ankit Mehta, Ashish Bhat, Rahul Singh, Vipul Joshi

ideaForge is one among India’s earliest pioneers in UAV (drone) expertise, which is well-known for constructing high-performance drones for surveillance, intelligence, and reconnaissance. Trusted by armed forces and paramilitary models, its drones are deployed for border safety and counterinsurgency missions.

Focuses on tactical drones with superior payloads for defence and homeland safety
Provides UAVs for border surveillance, mapping, and catastrophe response
Works intently with the Indian Military, Navy, and paramilitary forces
Went public in 2023 and has since reported blended monetary efficiency
In Q2 FY25, reported a web lack of INR 13.7 Cr, in comparison with a revenue of INR 89.2 Lakh YoY
Income rose 56.52% YoY to INR 37.1 Cr in Q2 FY25 however dropped 57% QoQ from INR 86.2 Cr in This autumn FY24
Regardless of quarterly setbacks, it continues to steer India’s defence drone ecosystem

AjnaLens

Based	2014
Headquarters	Mumbai
Founders	Pankaj Raut, Abhishek Tomar, Abhijit Patil

AjnaLens is rewriting defence coaching with immersive AR/VR-based simulations that enhance mission readiness and real-time battlefield consciousness. Its tech is now built-in into soldier coaching and India’s superior MANPAD programs.

Focuses on augmented and digital actuality options for fight and coaching
Enhancing MANPAD visible programs for higher goal acquisition
Holds 15+ patents in immersive and defence-related applied sciences
Raised over $4 million in funding
Backed by traders like LetsVenture
Works with the Indian Armed Forces for AR-based soldier coaching modules

Garuda Aerospace

Based	2015
Headquarters	Chennai
Founder	Agnishwar Jayaprakash

Garuda Aerospace is one among India’s most distinguished drone startups, providing multi-purpose UAVs for defence, catastrophe response, and border surveillance. Its drones present real-time reconnaissance and logistics assist to spice up navy operations. The corporate is quickly increasing its world footprint, with plans to enter 50+ nations.

Focuses on aerial surveillance, border patrol, and defence logistics drones
First worldwide entry: Sri Lanka
Allotted $10 Mn for world enlargement over the following few years
Raised $22 Mn Collection A in Feb 2023 led by SphitiCap
Secured a further $3 Mn bridge spherical in Oct 2023 from Enterprise Catalysts and WeFounderCircle
Works with authorities companies and catastrophe response groups throughout India

NewSpace

Based	2015
Headquarters	Bengaluru
Founder	Sameer Josh

NewSpace is pioneering next-gen aerial programs for defence with superior UAV swarms and autonomous drones constructed for tactical missions and real-time battlefield intelligence. Its cutting-edge tech blends AI, AR/VR, and collective robotics to spice up situational consciousness and mission adaptability.

Focuses on swarm drones, GPS-denied navigation, and aerial ISR programs
Raised $52 Mn (INR 430.9 Cr) in a 2024 bridge funding roundShowcased a swarm drone deployment in Japan for catastrophe response
Increasing globally throughout Japan, the Center East, and the US
Core capabilities embody ML, AR/VR, and collective robotics for aerospace ops

EyeROV

Based	2016
Headquarters	Kochi
Founders	Johns T. Mathai & Kannappa Palaniappan

EyeROV is India’s first industrial maker of underwater drones (ROVs) constructed for naval surveillance, mine detection, and maritime inspections. Its drones are already being deployed by DRDO and the Indian Coast Guard, providing real-time underwater intel for crucial defence operations.

Focuses on remote-operated underwater autos for defence and industrial use
Utilized by DRDO, Indian Coast Guard, and personal marine shoppers
Gives real-time underwater monitoring and mine detection
Raised INR 10 Cr (~$1.2 Mn) Pre-Collection A in Aug 2024, led by Unicorn India Ventures
Plans to broaden internationally and improve its marine robotics product line

AGNIT Semiconductors

Based	2017
Headquarters	Bengaluru
Founders	Digbijoy Neelim Nath, Hareesh Chandrasekar, Madhusudan Atre, Mayank Shrivastava

AGNIT develops high-efficiency wi-fi transmitters utilizing Gallium Nitride (GaN) tech to energy India’s defence electronics, from radars to communication programs. With enlargement plans into EV and shopper markets, AGNIT is scaling quick with investor confidence behind it.

Centered on GaN-based transmitters for radar, comms, and digital warfare
Goals to ship 1 lakh chips in 2025
Increasing into shopper electronics and EV fast-charging
Raised $4.87 million in funding
Current $3.5 Mn seed spherical led by 3one4 Capital and Zephyr Peacock

Constelli

Based	2017
Headquarters	Hyderabad
Founders	Satya Gopal Panigrahi & Avinash Chenreddy

Constelli is pushing the boundaries of digital sign processing for contemporary warfare. The startup already works with the Indian Ministry of Defence, DRDO, and world defence contractors.

Builds drone-based telemetry receivers for distant information acquisition
Develops digital warfare testing instruments and radar echo simulators
Enhances the software program improvement lifecycle of EW programs
Raised $3 Mn in Pre-Collection A (Jan 2025) from Pravega Ventures
Shoppers embody defence companies in India, South Korea, Australia, and Singapore

Optimized Electrotech

Based	2017
Headquarters	Ahmedabad
Founder	Sandeep Shah

Optimized Electrotech builds AI-powered electro-optic surveillance programs for defence and strategic safety. Its imaging platforms assist evening imaginative and prescient, thermal sensing, and long-range monitoring for border management and menace detection.

Gives options for surveillance, reconnaissance, and goal acquisition
Serves armed forces, paramilitary models, and demanding infrastructure sectorsFocus on AI integration to counter threats like unauthorised drone incursions
Obtained INR 25 Cr authorities grant in 2024 underneath ADITI 1.0 iDEX-DIO Problem
Merchandise are indigenously designed and developed for high-threat environments

Massive Bang Increase Options

Based	2018
Headquarters	Chennai
Founders	Praveen Dwarakanath, Shivaraman Ramaswamy

Massive Bang Increase Options focuses on uneven fight, situational consciousness, and Made-in-India navy innovation.

Focuses on anti-drone tech, bulletproof jackets, and fight assist programs
Strengthens soldier security and tactical effectivity in high-risk zones
Raised $30 Mn (INR 250 Cr) in 2024 from Mumbai Angels Community, Vyom Household Workplace, SBI Startup Department, and others
Bagged INR 200+ Cr order from the Indian Air Pressure and Indian Military in 2024

Jeh Aerospace

Based	2022
Headquarters	Hyderabad
Founders	Venkatesh Mudragalla & Vishal Sanghavi

Jeh Aerospace is a rising participant in aerospace and defence manufacturing, specialising in aerostructures, aero-engine elements, and precision build-to-print assemblies.

Experience in coldworking, wire harness meeting, and NDT testing
Gives value-added companies like portray and anodising
Raised $2.75 Mn seed funding in Jan 2024 led by Common Catalyst
Constructing a 1.6 lakh sq ft manufacturing hub in Telangana’s Kothur
Concentrating on full-spectrum assist for OEMs and tooling firms in aerospace & defence

Conclusion

India’s defence-tech ecosystem is stepping up geopolitical tensions, and the drive for self-reliance is escalating. Defence tech startups in India specializing in counter-drone programs are seeing a pointy rise in demand as safety issues develop. In keeping with Tracxn, India has round 136 navy tech startups, with well-known names like NewSpace Analysis and Applied sciences is one among them.

FAQs

What are the highest defence-tech startups in India in 2025?

India’s prime defence-tech startups in 2025 embody ideaForge, Garuda Aerospace, AjnaLens, NewSpace, EyeROV, AGNIT Semiconductors, Constelli, Optimized Electrotech, Massive Bang Increase Options, and Jeh Aerospace.

Why are traders taken with defence-tech startups?

Geopolitical tensions and authorities assist are driving investor confidence and funding.

How are drones utilized in Indian defence?

Drones are used for border surveillance, logistics, mapping, and catastrophe response.

WIDGET: questionnaire | CAMPAIGN: Easy Questionnaire