Exclusive: Indrajaal Raises INR 48 Cr To Scale Anti-Drone Capabilities

SUMMARY

The startup will use the funds for order execution, getting regulatory certifications, expanding its team, product completion, and more

The domestic anti-drone system market is expected to grow from $65.73 Mn in 2024 to $496.71 Mn by 2031, while the broader military drone market is projected to cross $4 Bn by 2030

Founded in 2023 by Raju, Sunil Kalidindi, and Mallela VN Sai, the Hyderabad-based startup offers AI-powered autonomous wide-area anti-drone systems capable of protecting up to 4,000 sq km against rogue drones, including swarms and autonomous threats

Defence tech startup Indrajaal has raised INR 48 Cr (about $5.5 Mn) in its pre-Series A round co-led by India Accelerator and Finvolve, along with participation from strategic and existing investors.

Indrajaal cofounder and CEO Kiran Raju told Inc42 that the startup will use the funds for order execution, getting regulatory certifications, expanding its team, product completion, and more.

Its anti-drone systems can secure critical infrastructure such as ports, refineries, power plants, and military installations, handling even low radar cross-section threats and swarm attacks.

Spun out of Hyderabad-based Grene Robotics, Indrajaal’s anti-drone systems are deployed at strategic locations like naval ports. It is also used to tackle cross-border drug smuggling in states like Punjab.

India’s Growing Defence Tech Ecosystem

Indrajaal operates in the country’s anti-drone market which is expanding rapidly, driven by evolving threats, government policies, and a focus on indigenous capabilities. The domestic anti-drone system market is expected to grow from $65.73 Mn in 2024 to $496.71 Mn by 2031, while the broader military drone market is projected to cross $4 Bn by 2030.

Not just drones, homegrown defence tech startups are playing a key role in enhancing the country’s security needs. This was evident during Operation Sindoor earlier this year, when the products of a number of defence tech startups demonstrated their capabilities.

Indrajaal’s anti-drone system was deployed at the Western Naval Command during Operation Sindoor. A number of other startups like IG Drones and Tonbo Imaging also proved the effectiveness of their products during the conflict.

This, along with the broader deeptech push, has resulted in investors lining up to invest in defence tech startups. The country’s defence tech startup ecosystem is estimated to grow to $19 Bn by 2030 from $7.6 Bn in 2025, clocking a CAGR of 20%.