Powering India's Defence: Tata Elxsi, Garuda Aerospace To Establish CoE In Indigenised UAV Push

Tata Elxsi, a provider of design and technology services, and unmanned aerial vehicle manufacturer Garuda Aerospace have signed a memorandum of understanding in a bid to accelerate indigenised UAV design and development, reduce import reliance, and enhance drone efficiency.

The companies will establish a dedicated UAV design, engineering, and certification centre to develop indigenous drone technologies specifically for Indian defence applications, along with agriculture, and smart cities, supporting the ‘Make in India' initiative.

Tata Elxsi will lead the design, development, testing, and certification of UAV subsystems, leveraging its expertise in avionics, miniaturisation, ground control systems, secured communication, and energy optimisation. Its capabilities in avionics certification, including compliance with DO-254 and DO-178C standards, will enable regulatory adherence and safety.

Jayaraj Rajapandian, Head of Aerospace, Rail & Off-Highway, Tata Elxsi, said, “Our partnership with Garuda Aerospace marks a major milestone in India's aerospace ambitions. By driving AI-powered UAV advancements, we are strengthening India's defence ecosystem and reinforcing the country's self-reliance in aerospace technologies.”

By integrating its proprietary autonomous and digital twin technologies, AI-driven solutions, and advanced propulsion and battery management systems, Tata Elxsi aims to enhance UAV efficiency, reduce energy consumption by 20%, cut costs by over 20%, and accelerate development cycles by up to six months.

Garuda Aerospace, as an OEM with a presence in defence and other sectors, will lead business acquisition and delivery. The drones developed under this initiative will cater to multiple applications such as payload management, goods delivery, precision agriculture, and ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance) missions, addressing critical operational needs across industries.

Agnishwar Jayaprakash, founder and CEO of Garuda Aerospace, said, “Over the next three to five years, we will focus on fully indigenised production and supply of airborne and ground systems, strengthening India's leadership in UAV technology.”

The Indian defence forces and Border Security Force are expected to be key beneficiaries of this collaboration, gaining access to cutting-edge UAV capabilities. Additionally, this initiative will create new employment opportunities and contribute to workforce development in the aerospace sector.