New drone hub in Kurnool aims to create jobs, attract global investment, and build India’s leadership in drone tech
Garuda Aerospace Invests in Future of Drones with Andhra Pradesh Drone City
Garuda Aerospace has committed INR 100 crore (approximately USD 12 million) to the development of the Andhra Pradesh Drone City in Kurnool. CEO Agnishwar Jayaprakash met with Chief Minister Shri Chandrababu Naidu to move the project forward. The initiative aims to make Andhra Pradesh a center for drone innovation, with strong support from the state government.
The Indian Drone City will focus on setting up facilities near ports and airports to draw global aerospace companies and increase exports. Strategic land allocation and infrastructure development are key goals. The site will also include essential services to help attract and support new businesses.
“This initiative will not only accelerate economic growth but also empower entrepreneurs, attract global investments, and shape the future of the industry on a massive scale,” said Jayaprakash.
Jobs, Training, and a Drone Ecosystem
The Indian Drone City is expected to generate around 20,000 new jobs. It will also train 25,000 drone pilots, building a skilled workforce for India’s growing drone industry.
The campus will include drone manufacturing units, research and development labs, training academies, repair centers, and an incubation hub for UAV startups. The aim is to build a complete ecosystem for drone technology in one location.
Shri Rama Mohan Naidu Ji, Minister of Civil Aviation, emphasized the role of initiatives like the ‘Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra’ and ‘Namo Drone Didi,’ which use drone tech to support national goals and empower rural women.
Driving Growth Across Sectors
India’s drone market is projected to reach INR 60 billion (approximately USD 720 million) by 2030. Garuda Aerospace believes that the Drone City will play a big part in achieving that growth.
The project is expected to attract over 500 drone-related companies and foreign investments of around USD 5 billion. India plans to expand its drone exports to more than 15 international markets by the end of the decade.
The demand for drones continues to rise across sectors. Agriculture, which covers 350 million acres in India, is a key area. Other applications include solar panel cleaning, thermal inspections, and large-scale mapping. India still has over 3.3 lakh villages needing mapping under the Svamitva scheme.
A Catalyst for Innovation and Growth
Garuda Aerospace is positioning itself as a leader in this space. “The Andhra Pradesh Drone City is more than just an infrastructure project; it is a catalyst for innovation, job creation, and technological leadership,” said Jayaprakash.
Garuda Aerospace has seen significant growth, with FY24 revenue reaching INR 110 crore (approximately USD 13.2 million)—2.3 times higher than the previous year. Net profit also grew 2.7 times to INR 16 crore (approximately USD 1.9 million), despite a 128% increase in expenses. Surveillance services brought in INR 68 crore (approximately USD 8.2 million), and drone sales added INR 42 crore (approximately USD 5 million).
Backed by $31 million in funding, Garuda Aerospace is led by Jayaprakash, who holds a 77% stake in the company.
About Garuda Aerospace
Founded in 2015, Garuda Aerospace is one of India’s top drone startups. It focuses on precision agriculture and industrial automation. The company operates the country’s largest drone fleet—over 400 drones and 500 pilots in 84 cities.
Garuda builds 30 types of drones and offers 50 different drone services. Clients include major firms like TATA, Reliance, Amazon, Flipkart, and L&T. The company has also partnered with global leaders such as Lockheed Martin, Cognizant, and Elbit Systems.
The company was the first to receive DGCA approval for Type Certification and Remote Pilot Training. Its mission is to improve 1 billion lives using affordable drone technology. Cricketer Mahendra Singh Dhoni is an investor and brand ambassador.
For more details, visit www.garudaaerospace.com.
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Miriam McNabb is the Editor-in-Chief of DRONELIFE and CEO of JobForDrones, a professional drone services marketplace, and a fascinated observer of the emerging drone industry and the regulatory environment for drones. Miriam has penned over 3,000 articles focused on the commercial drone space and is an international speaker and recognized figure in the industry. Miriam has a degree from the University of Chicago and over 20 years of experience in high tech sales and marketing for new technologies.
For drone industry consulting or writing, Email Miriam.
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