Chennai-based drone manufacturer Garuda Aerospace has just cleared a major milestone — the company has been granted an export licence, enabling it to ship drones beyond Indian borders. This step is expected to fast-track Garuda’s plans to build a global presence in sectors like precision farming, industrial surveillance, and public safety.
Global Ambitions: Expanding Footprint in Agriculture & Security Sectors
With the new license in hand, Garuda is preparing to expand into markets such as the USA, Australia, and the Middle East. The US and Australia, with their large-scale farming needs, offer fertile ground for Garuda’s agri-drones like the Garuda Kisan. This drone is designed to handle crop spraying, field mapping, and soil health monitoring.
Meanwhile, countries in the Middle East will see Garuda’s surveillance and mapping drones deployed across security and infrastructure monitoring use cases.
“This licence marks a key step in making Garuda a serious player in global drone exports,” said founder Agnishwar Jayaprakash. “We’re now aiming to take our Make-in-India drone tech to the world stage.”
How they will lead their competitor in International markets?
Garuda Aerospace plans to lead its competitors in international markets by focusing on deep industry-specific use cases rather than generic drone tech.
In agriculture, they’re offering drones tailored for crop spraying and field surveillance, which directly solve farmers’ pain points—especially in countries like the US and Australia.
For industrial and defense needs in the Middle East, they’re aligning with local compliance and offering customized solutions. Unlike competitors chasing mass markets, Garuda is building region-wise strategies, tying up with local partners, and leveraging its “Make in India” cost advantage.
This focused, problem-solving approach is how they plan to stay ahead globally.
Already International: Strategic Push Into Sri Lanka
Even before this licence in 2023, Garuda announced a tie-up with Sri Lanka’s agritech firm CYOL, launching its operations there with a fleet of agriculture-focused drones. The partnership marked Garuda’s first full-scale international deployment, laying the foundation for future overseas projects.
Backed by MS Dhoni & India’s Top Early-Stage Investors
Garuda’s rise hasn’t gone unnoticed. The company is backed by MS Dhoni, who also serves as its brand ambassador, boosting both its credibility and visibility. Dhoni’s support has been crucial in attracting institutional players like Venture Catalysts, who led the company’s ₹100 crore Series B funding in April 2025.
Strengthening the Ecosystem: Training & Tech Collaborations
Garuda is also investing in long-term capabilities. It recently became a DGCA-authorised Remote Pilot Training Organisation (RPTO), allowing it to certify drone pilots for small and medium-sized UAVs.
Recently, Garuda has invested ₹1 crore in Zuppa Neo Navigation, a Chennai-based startup working on autonomous drone control systems. This move shows Garuda’s intent to build an end-to-end drone tech stack, from hardware to navigation to training.
FY24 Performance: Doubling Revenue, Jump in Profitability
Garuda’s financials paint a promising picture. As per Tofler, the company clocked ₹109.9 crore in revenue in FY24, more than double the previous year’s ₹47 crore. Profits too saw a sharp rise, with net profit jumping from ₹6.2 crore in FY23 to ₹15.8 crore in FY24.
