Army Design Bureau visits Garuda Aerospace’s Chennai drone facility

On September 11, Major General Gopal Kapoor, the Additional Director General of the Army Design Bureau (ADB), visited Garuda Aerospace's drone manufacturing facility in Chennai. The purpose of the visit was to explore the company's indigenous and localisation capabilities, as well as its projects that support India's defence and drone ecosystem.

During the visit, Garuda Aerospace showcased its 50,000 sq ft manufacturing facility, which encompasses design, prototyping, manufacturing, testing, and deployment. The facility is equipped with various technologies, such as injection moulding, industrial-grade 3D printing, battery assembly and testing infrastructure.

Garuda's team also presented its vulnerability checklist and testing processes in collaboration with authorized agencies to ensure the company meets applicable defence standards. The visit emphasized the company's commitment to localisation, which is becoming a significant aspect of India's defence manufacturing initiatives.

Garuda Aerospace's founder and CEO, Agnishwar Jayaprakash, highlighted the importance of collaboration between industry, government, academia, and the armed forces in building a more self-reliant defence ecosystem. He reiterated the company's dedication to India's Atmanirbhar Bharat vision and its aspiration to become a global center for indigenous drone technology and manufacturing.

The Army Design Bureau appreciated Garuda's efforts in strengthening domestic drone manufacturing capabilities and acknowledged its investments in manufacturing infrastructure, technology development, and research and development. The meeting underscored the focus on "Design in India, Develop in India, and Manufacture in India," with indigenization seen as a crucial component of India's defense preparedness.