Garuda Aerospace and Bharat Electronics Limited Sign MoU to Enhance Indigenous UAS for Indian Defence Forces

Garuda Aerospace, a prominent Indian drone manufacturer, has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL). This collaboration aims to supply Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) to the Indian Defence Forces, Central Police Organisations (CPOs), and specialised security groups. The MoU was signed by Agnishwar Jayaprakash, Founder and Director of Garuda Aerospace, and Mr. Prahalad, General Manager – Marketing at BEL, in New Delhi on 13th January 2026.

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The partnership is designed to leverage BEL's expertise in defence electronics and system integration alongside Garuda Aerospace's advanced drone design and manufacturing capabilities. This collaboration aims to develop indigenous unmanned solutions that meet India's evolving defence and internal security needs. It aligns with the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative, which promotes self-reliance in defence manufacturing.

Focus on Indigenous Solutions

The MoU outlines a framework where BEL will act as the Team Leader and Lead Bidder, while Garuda Aerospace will serve as the Technology and Teaming Partner. This partnership is expected to result in scalable, mission-ready UAS solutions for India's security forces. The collaboration reflects a shared commitment to delivering indigenous solutions that are critical for national security.

A separate Teaming Agreement will be established later to define binding terms of engagement. This agreement will detail the scope of work and distribution based on customer requirements and procurement processes. The partnership aims to strengthen India's defence ecosystem by combining BEL's leadership in electronics with Garuda's drone technologies.

Strategic Collaboration for National Security

Agnishwar Jayaprakash commented on the partnership, stating it marks an important step in advancing India's Aatmanirbhar Bharat vision for defence manufacturing. He highlighted Garuda Aerospace's consistent collaboration with defence and government agencies, contributing to national initiatives like Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra and Namo Didi.

Bharat Electronics Limited shared this milestone on social media, emphasising the collaboration's goal to leverage BEL’s experience in defence electronics and system integration. The partnership aims to develop mission-critical unmanned solutions that cater to India's evolving operational requirements while supporting self-reliance in defence manufacturing.

Garuda Aerospace's Role in Defence Manufacturing

This MoU represents a significant milestone in fostering collaboration between a leading public sector defence enterprise and an innovative Indian drone manufacturer. It enables the development of scalable unmanned aerial systems tailored for national security applications. The partnership underscores the importance of indigenous solutions in strengthening India's defence capabilities.

Garuda Aerospace is a leading drone tech start-up in India, focusing on disrupting sectors like Precision Agri Tech and Industry 4.0 upgradation. The company is asset-light and recession-proof, aiming to eliminate labourers in agriculture through drones. They specialise in designing, building, and customising Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs).

With inputs from PTI