Homegrown defence startups power silent revolution in India’s security landscape

While big-ticket defence procurements often dominate headlines, India’s real transformation in defence preparedness is being quietly driven by indigenous startups leveraging next-gen technologies. The success of Operation Sindoor, where advanced surveillance and drone technologies played a critical role in tracking and neutralising threats, has spotlighted the growing role of domestic tech innovators in national security.

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Startups like ideaForge, Garuda Aerospace, and IG Drones have emerged as key players, providing agile, responsive drone systems for surveillance, reconnaissance, and disaster response. Their technologies were reportedly deployed during Operation Sindoor to enhance real-time intelligence and terrain mapping in challenging environments.

Meanwhile, firms such as Zebu and Skylark Drones are reshaping battlefield awareness with artificial intelligence-driven surveillance tools. These systems enable defence forces to analyse data, monitor border activity, and predict potential incursions—all with minimal human intervention.

Operation Sindoor has underscored the importance of indigenous innovation in reducing dependence on foreign technologies. With Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat initiatives gaining traction, these startups are not just filling critical gaps but also setting new standards in defence tech.

Defence experts now argue that the future of warfare will be determined not just by heavy artillery, but by how effectively countries leverage data, automation, and real-time intelligence—areas where India’s tech startups are quickly gaining an edge.