Amidst the ongoing conflict between India and Pakistan, there has been growing discussion about defence equipment and military preparedness. India has come a long way in its journey of defence modernisation, from traditional muskets to importing advanced systems like the S-400 from Russia.
Under the ‘Make In India’ initiative, these homegrown defence tech startups are thriving on India’s self-reliance in defence but are also driving innovation in military technology.
Here is a list of notable defence tech startups in India:
ideaForge
ideaForge is a Mumbai-based company a flagship supplier of advanced drones to the Indian Army in India’s unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) sector. Their drones, like the SWITCH UAV, are specially designed for border surveillance and high-altitude operations, offering long endurance, advanced imaging, and the ability to operate in challenging terrains.
ideaForge’s drones are also known for their heir autonomous operations, quick turnaround times, and ability to carry interchangeable payloads.
Optimized Electrotech
Optimized Electrotech is an Ahmedabad-based startup specializing in advanced, long-distance multispectral surveillance equipment for defence and critical infrastructure security. Their systems, such as the Multi-Spectral Ultra Long Range Surveillance System and NoctVision, use a combination of visible, thermal, shortwave, and medium-wave infrared sensors to deliver high-contrast imaging in all weather and lighting conditions, including total darkness.
These are powered by AI and also have automated threat detection, facial recognition, and real-time alerts with minimal human intervention.
The company has received significant funding (over $8 million) to accelerate development of these AI-driven imaging and surveillance technologies
AjnaLens
AjnaLens is a Mumbai-based startup specializing in mixed reality (MR), augmented reality (AR), and virtual reality (VR) solutions tailored for defence applications. The company’s military-grade products, such as the AjnaBolt mixed reality glasses, are designed to enhance soldier training, situational awareness, and weapon system effectiveness by integrating features like AI, night vision, GPS, LIDAR, and thermal imaging.
Their technology is manufactured in India and is increasingly being adopted by the Indian defence sector for advanced training and operational efficiency.
Digantara Research
Digantara Research, headquartered in Bengaluru, an Indian spacetech startup specializing in space situational awareness (SSA) and satellite tracking, with a strong focus on monitoring space debris for defence and commercial applications. The company has developed an end-to-end infrastructure known as the Space-Mission Assurance Platform (Space-MAP), which integrates data from proprietary sensors, satellites, and ground-based systems to provide real-time insights into the location, trajectory, and health of objects in Earth’s orbit.
Digantara recently launched Asia’s first commercial Space Domain Awareness Command and Control Centre in Bengaluru, serving as a hub for tracking and managing space objects and debris-much like an air traffic control center for space.
Evigway Technologies
Evigway Technologies is an Indian defence and aerospace company founded in 2020, headquartered in Dehradun, that specializes in advanced Military ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance), data analytics, digital forensics, and ICT (Information and Communication Technology) solutions.
Their expertise and collaborations with leading academic and government institutions position them as a key player in developing indigenous, next-generation intelligence solutions under India’s ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ vision.
Sagar Defence Engineering
Sagar Defence Engineering, headquartered in Mumbai, is an Indian startup specializing in the development of unmanned surface and underwater vehicles for naval defence applications. The company specialises in innovation by creating autonomous marine platforms that can be remotely operated or function independently, providing critical solutions for the Indian Navy, Coast Guard, and other security agencies.
A standout achievement is Sagar Defence Engineering’s ongoing project to develop India’s first underwater-launched unmanned aerial vehicle (ULUAV), in collaboration with DRDO and the Indian Navy.
This ULUAV is designed to be deployed autonomously from a submerged submarine, enabling discreet intelligence gathering and surveillance without exposing the submarine’s position.
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