Apollyon Dynamics quits building drones to make defencetech for the military
Hyderabad-based student startup Apollyon Dynamics sold drones worth over Rs 1.5 crore last year. It has now moved to a jet-powered target drone, a multirotor interceptor, and a marine unmanned system.
Apollyon Dynamics, a Hyderabad-based defence technology startup, has shifted its focus from drone manufacturing to higher-value products. Co-founded by Jayant Khatri and Sourya Choudhury in May 2025, the company initially offered various types of drones, which it recently abandoned due to market saturation. Khatri explained that the conventional drone market had become overly competitive, with limited opportunities for differentiation.
The startup's new portfolio now includes Nightshade, Ahuti Mk II, and Project Piranha. Nightshade is a jet-powered platform that can be configured as a target drone, decoy, or loitering munition, with the company already conducting tests. Ahuti Mk II has been repurposed into an interceptor and is part of a Make II programme for the Indian army.
Project Piranha, a marine-based unmanned system, is still under development. Apollyon has reduced its workforce to around 20 full-time employees and is collaborating with other defence companies like Raphe mPhibr and Dhruva Space to integrate its systems into command-centre products. The startup aims to develop cruise-missile-class systems capable of carrying thousands of kilograms and traveling at Mach 1 by 2030, with the help of advisor M R M Babu, former head of DRDO's Agni-V missile programme.
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