After Operation Sindoor, Noida-based drone startup raises over Rs 8300000000 in India’s largest…, the company is…
Noida-based drone startup Raphe mPhibr has raised USD 100 million in fresh funding, led by US-based investment firm General Catalyst. This is the largest amount ever raised by an Indian aerospace manufacturing company, bringing the total funds raised by the startup to USD 145 million (over Rs. 1,200 crore). Raphe mPhibr’s drones were part of the recent Operation Sindoor.
Speaking to NDTV, Raphe mPhibr CEO Vivek Mishra said the key to staying ahead of countries like China in drone technology is to build a strong ecosystem that supports everything from designing and developing drones to making them right here in India.
Sharing a real example, he said that when they were working on a drone that needed to fly for a long time, they could not find a suitable engine in the market. Most engines were either too bulky, too costly, or did not perform well enough. So instead of settling, the team decided to build their own internal combustion engine from scratch.
“We designed and made the engine ourselves to suit our drone’s needs. It was the first time such an engine was built in India for drones. Our aim wasn’t to copy anything, but to make something smaller, lighter, and more efficient that truly worked for our use,” Mishra told NDTV.
He believes many Indian companies have the potential to focus on research and production. “If we do that, we can create products that meet India’s specific needs, rather than relying on foreign solutions,” he added.
Raphe mPhibr used during Operation Sindoor
Raphe mPhibr proved its capabilities during Operation Sindoor, India’s strong response to a deadly terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which claimed the lives of 26 tourists. During the operation, Raphe mPhibr’s drones were used to strike targets in Pakistan, marking a major milestone in the use of indigenous defence technology. Since then, the Indian military’s interest in homegrown drone systems has surged.
The Indian Army recently placed an order for 450 suicide drones from another firm and is now preparing to order hundreds more from Raphe mPhibr. With fresh funding and growing trust from the armed forces, the startup is expected to build even more advanced and effective drones for defence use.
“This was our Series B funding round where we raised USD 100 million, led by General Catalyst,” said Vivek Mishra. “Some of our existing investors, including Amal Parekh and Think Investments, also contributed. We started this company nearly ten years ago, and this round will help us expand both our research and manufacturing capacity,” he added in a statement to NDTV.
Mishra also shared that from the very beginning, their goal was clear i.e. to build strong research and manufacturing capabilities within India. That vision is now becoming a reality, as Raphe mPhibr’s technology plays a growing role in strengthening the country’s defence sector.
Unmanned aerial vehicles: weapon of choice in modern warfare
Drones, or UAVs, have become one of the top choices in modern warfare. They allow countries to show their air strength and carry out missions without putting pilots in danger or risking expensive fighter planes.
According to a recent Reuters report, India is planning to spend a lot more on homegrown drone technology. The government may invest up to USD 470 million in buying drones over the next year or two—almost three times more than what was spent before the recent conflict.
Just last month, India also approved emergency defence spending of about USD 4.6 billion. A portion of that money will go toward buying combat and surveillance drones to strengthen the military’s capabilities.
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