Gurugram’s AVPL Announces $1 Mn Investment in Defence Drone R&D

Gurugram-based drone tech startup AVPL International announced a $1 million investment in research and development for defence drones in India on July 4. The move aims to enhance India’s unmanned aerial systems (UAS) capabilities and reduce its dependence on imported components, such as flight controllers, remote controllers (including transmitters and receivers), and motors.

The company stated that this investment will support the development of intelligent drones with swarm autonomy, counter-UAS technologies, and high-altitude platforms for operations in the Himalayan region. 

AVPL said it will also expand its manufacturing and training infrastructure in Bihta (Bihar) and Hisar (Haryana), which together have the capacity to produce 24,000 drones annually.

Focus on Indigenous Defence

The investment, the drone tech company said, would address “critical gaps” in India’s drone ecosystem. With 90% of components being imported from China, AVPL is stressing self-reliance.

This includes the creation of homegrown defence drones and the integration of technologies such as carbon composite airframes, hybrid propulsion, encrypted telemetry, and AI-based autonomy.

The initiative also focuses on workforce development. AVPL plans to upskill ex-servicemen and Agniveers through dedicated drone training programmes. “This investment reflects our commitment and contribution to the growth of a robust drone supply chain under the Make in India initiative,” said Preet Sandhuu, founder and MD of AVPL International.

Broader Drone Strategy

This announcement follows a $12 million commitment by AVPL earlier this year to expand drone training and manufacturing across India. The company’s roadmap includes the development of ISR platforms, kamikaze drones, modular VTOL systems, and anti-drone solutions for both military and civilian use.

Founded in 2016, AVPL operates across 12 Indian states and runs 70 training hubs globally. In May this year, the company also received authorisation from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to train drone pilots in the Medium-Class Rotorcraft category in India. 

This approval enabled AVPL to train pilots for drones weighing between 25 kg and 150 kg, making it one of the first organisations in the country to possess this capability. It has now trained over 100,000 professionals, with support from the NSDC and various state skill development missions.