In the course of Operation Sindoor—India’s rapid military reaction to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack—tech companies outside the defence sector contributed significantly. At least seven startups, among them IG Drones, Pixxel, and Kawa Space, provided key systems in air, space, sea, biotech, and cyber sectors.
1. IG Drones – Real‑Time Eyes Over the Battlefield
Based in Noida and established by Bodhisattwa Sanghapriya and Om Prakash (alumni of IIM Sambalpur), IG Drones provided the Indian Army with their homegrown VTOL and FPV drone platforms—SKYHAWK and DELTA 400. These provided 5G-connected, real‑time surveillance and threat monitoring, delivering frontline commanders aerial visibility within seconds, rather than hours
2. Pixxel – Hyperspectral Satellites in Action
Pixxel’s hyperspectral satellites, launched in early January 2025 and funded by Google, provided real-time terrain mapping and post-strike confirmation. Their high-res data captured hundreds of spectral bands, providing mission-critical insights into ground conditions and enemy movements
3. Kawa Space – Tactical Overhead Surveillance
Kawa Space, a company established by Kris Nair, became a critical supplier of high-resolution satellite imagery. Their data streams provided near-real-time visual intelligence essential to target confirmation and battlefield analysis
4. Z‑Motion & Economic Explosives – Deadly and Accurate
In association with Economic Explosives Ltd (Nagpur), Bengaluru’s Z‑Motion Autonomous Systems produced the Nagastra‑1 loitering ammunition—an 8‑9 kg suicide unmanned aerial vehicle with 1 kg payload and artificial intelligence autonomy. These UAVs carried out precision attacks, reducing collateral damage while destroying enemy positions
5. Alpha Design – SkyStriker: Lethal Payloads
Alpha Design Technologies, in collaboration with Israeli defense company Elbit, manufactured SkyStriker loitering munitions at its Bengaluru plant. These suicide drones, acquired under a 2021 EMERGENT deal, were used to strike against terrorist targets and enemy air-defense installations in Operation Sindoor
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6. Biotechnology – Fibroheal’s Field‑Ready Wound Care
Bengaluru’s Fibroheal (now Alpha Design’s biotech unit) partnered with IISc to provide FibroPlug, a silk protein-based hemostatic product. Field-tested on the field, it stopped bleeding within 30 seconds and was rapidly supplied to military medical camps along the Line of Control
7. Quantum Cybersecurity – QNu Labs’ Encryption Shield
Post-operation, secure communication became a top priority. QNu Labs rolled out quantum cryptographic solutions, such as QShield, fortifying military communication networks against emerging quantum threats
8. EyeROV – Underwater Recon and Rescue
Mumbai-based EyeROV deployed its remotely operated vehicles in strategic dam and border-region aquatic deployments. Though less publicized, their ROVs played roles in underwater reconnaissance, with DRDO commissioning advanced long-range UUVs
9. Counter-Drone and Air-Defence Systems
In addition to private actors, Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) supplied key anti-drone solutions. Their Akashteer air-defence C4ISR network intercepted 100 % of drones. The D4 system—able to jam drones up to 5 km and laser kill up to 1 km—was demonstrated in public at the Masula Beach Festival in Vijayawada
Solar Defence & Aerospace, a private startup, also contributed its Bhargavastra multi-sensor missile-based counter-UAS system to add layered defenses. Grene Robotics’ Indrajaal drone-defence dome got autonomous counter-swarm capability
Why It Matters
- Seamless Integration of Combat Tech: This mission wasn’t merely about missiles—it was a startup orchestra performing in multiple domains, from biotech to quantum encryption.
- Indigenous Sovereignty: India now uses indigenous, IP-backed solutions instead of imports—a huge strategic autonomy jump
- Private Sector in Warfare: Initiatives such as iDEX and SPARK provided a launchpad, fostering startups into front-line partners—trying them out under live-fire conditions
- Tech with Dual Use: These innovations also help citizens—uses in disaster relief, medical crises, green monitoring, and more
- A New Defence Ecosystem: The military-industrial complex is now not only PSUs—it has labs, startups, and private players in airborne, sea, land, cyber, and space.
The Road Ahead
Operation Sindoor was a paradigm shift: wars of the future will be waged using drones, satellites, biotech, AI, and encrypted communications. Regulations and seed stage support enabled startups to jump into mission-critical positions. Today, with tested platforms, India’s private defence class can scale into exports and deeper in-house defense integration. As India looks to 2047, this fusion force of engineers, physicists, programmers, and entrepreneurs awaits—converting laboratories into the battalion that defends the nation.
Written by Pydimarri Hema Harshini
