BITS Pilani-incubated Apollyon Dynamics sets new speed record in India with 498 km/h interceptor drone

Hyderabad-based defence technology startup Apollyon Dynamics has achieved a new speed record in India with its electric interceptor drone, Ahuti Mk II, reaching a certified top speed of 498 km/h. This surpasses the previous fastest speed recorded by a multirotor UAV in South Asia, according to the company. Apollyon Dynamics, founded in 2025 by Jayant Khatri and Sourya Choudhary, is based at the BITS Pilani Hyderabad campus and specializes in developing autonomous aerial systems for the Indian armed forces.

The record-breaking Ahuti Mk II was engineered by Aman Virani, Manas Vichare, and Ishaan Suri, building upon the original Ahuti prototype which achieved approximately 300 km/h in 2025. Khatri’s entrepreneurial journey began with a Rs 2 lakh SOLVE grant at BITS Pilani, which funded his initial 3D printer and motors for a prosthetics project.

This early support provided the foundation for Apollyon Dynamics' high-performance UAVs. Khatri emphasized that reaching a certified top speed of 498 km/h validates the company's engineering approach and the team's dedicated work. Choudhary added that the journey from the original Ahuti's speed of 300 km/h in 2025 to the current 498 km/h of Ahuti Mk II in under a year required extensive testing, iteration, and refinement.

The record reflects the team's persistent effort to create and test a high-speed unmanned platform. Ahuti Mk II is specifically designed for high-speed interception of hostile drones and loitering munitions. The company plans to develop a Power Cruise Missile platform by 2030, aiming to enhance speed, autonomy, scalability, and cost efficiency.

BITS Pilani Group Vice Chancellor, Prof V. Ramgopal Rao, highlighted the significance of the achievement, noting how the academic and entrepreneurial ecosystem at the university transforms engineering concepts into real-world defense applications. For BITS Pilani, the record-setting success underscores the value of its Technology Business Incubator in fostering deeptech ventures that transition from experimental settings to nationally recognized milestones.