Garuda Aerospace has won export approvals for its precision‑farming Garuda Kisan Drone in the US, Australia and key Middle Eastern markets. The Make‑in‑India start‑up plans to address a global agricultural drone market and expand into security and industrial applications.
Drone manufacturing start‑up Garuda Aerospace has secured export licences to the US, Australia and key Middle Eastern markets, CEO Agnishwar Jayaprakash announced on Monday.
The clearances mark a major step in the start‑up’s international expansion, enabling it to deliver its precision‑farming Garuda Kisan Drone to global agricultural hubs and offer advanced surveillance solutions to security‑focused clients in the Middle East.
Fund Utilisation
The Garuda Kisan Drone, made for large‑scale crop monitoring, pesticide spraying and data‑driven yield optimisation, will aim to address rising demand in North America and Australia, regions. It also plans to adapt its platforms for border‑patrol, infrastructure inspection and perimeter security applications in Gulf countries, where UAV adoption is surging.
“This export licence is a monumental step in our journey to becoming a leading global drone exporter,” said Jayaprakash. “It reflects our unwavering commitment to diversifying revenue streams beyond India and gaining an early‑mover advantage in emerging drone markets. We remain fully committed to our Prime Minister’s vision of ‘Make in India for the World.’”
Founded in 2015 with just five members, Garuda Aerospace now employs over 200 professionals and operates India’s largest commercial drone fleet, more than 400 UAVs piloted by 500‑certified operators across 84 cities.
The company has delivered services in precision agriculture, industrial surveying and smart‑city projects for over 750 clients, including Tata, Godrej, Adani, Reliance, Flipkart, L&T, NTPC, IOCL and Intel.
Garuda’s global ambitions build on strategic alliances with Elbit Systems, Lockheed Martin, Cognizant, Thales and SAS Greece, which Jayaprakash says will accelerate product localisation and market entry. Mentored by brand ambassador Mahendra Singh Dhoni, the company aims to establish a presence in at least 50 countries within the next three years.
Global Agriculture Drone Market
The global agriculture drone market is witnessing rapid expansion, valued at $4.98 billion in 2023 and projected to surge to $23.78 billion by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 18.5%, according to Fortune Business Insights.
This growth is fuelled by the increasing adoption of precision farming, rising input costs, environmental regulations and the need for efficient crop management.
North America currently leads the market due to clear regulations and a mature precision farming landscape, while the Asia Pacific, especially China and India, is expected to see strong growth due to vast agricultural areas and rising tech adoption.
Key industry players include DJI, known for its comprehensive drone and software solutions; PrecisionHawk, which focuses on agricultural data analytics; and Parrot Drones, offering imaging tools like multispectral cameras.
Indian Agri‑Tech
India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation has already granted Garuda type certification and approved its Remote Pilot Training Organisation, further validating its compliance credentials.
In March, Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted drone applications during a “Drone Yatra” event that saw 100 drones deployed simultaneously across rural India, an initiative that Garuda supported with both hardware and training.
Analysts say Garuda’s export push aligns with rising global interest in agri‑tech automation and UAV‑based security. “India’s drone start‑ups are maturing rapidly,” noted aerospace consultant Priya Menon. “Garuda’s move into premium markets underscores the competitiveness of ‘Make in India’ manufacturing.”
