Hyderabad Startup from BITS Pilani Delivers Swadeshi Combat Drones to Indian Army

Apollyon Dynamics, a defence-tech startup initiated by students from BITS Pilani Hyderabad, has successfully delivered indigenous unmanned aerial vehicles to Indian Army units stationed in Jammu, Chandimandir, Panagarh, and Arunachal Pradesh. The startup, led by Jayant Khatri and Sourya Choudhury, managed to deliver these units within two months of commencing operations.

The startup's technology was recently showcased at the BITS Pilani Hyderabad campus in front of Kumar Mangalam Birla, Chancellor and chairman of the Aditya Birla Group. Officials highlighted that the achievements of these young graduates demonstrate the significant role BITS Pilani plays in fostering deep-tech innovation with national impact.

Indigenous UAVs for Defence

Apollyon Dynamics focuses on designing and manufacturing custom unmanned aerial systems specifically for India's defence and surveillance requirements. These systems are developed in-house with an emphasis on reliability and adaptability to various terrains and missions. The trainer UAV is particularly popular among Army units due to its user-friendly design.

The startup also offers practical training for soldiers, enabling even those without prior flying experience to become proficient drone operators swiftly. This hands-on approach ensures that personnel can effectively utilise the technology in real-world scenarios.

Advanced Aerial Vehicles

Khatri and Choudhury have developed a range of multi-role aerial vehicles designed for long-range surveillance, tactical payload delivery, and high-precision kamikaze operations. The kamikaze platform is capable of flying at speeds over 300 km per hour while delivering payloads up to 1 kg with remarkable accuracy.

The duo is currently working on next-generation Vertical Take Off and Landing platforms as well as fixed-wing systems. These advancements aim to further enhance the capabilities of their unmanned aerial vehicles for diverse military applications.

The work undertaken by Apollyon Dynamics underscores the importance of nurturing innovation within educational institutions like BITS Pilani. By supporting startups focused on cutting-edge technology, such institutions contribute significantly to national development and security.