Garuda Aerospace unveils SURAJ, a solar powered ISR high altitude drone at Aero India 2023

Mahendra Singh Dhoni-backed drone tech start-up Garuda Aerospace unveiled SURAJ, a solar-powered unmanned reconnaissance aerial J-Glider, at the Aero India 2023 show in Bengaluru. Satheesh Reddy, former DRDO chairman, and current principal scientific advisor to the defence minister, unveiled the drone at the Garuda Aerospace stall.

SURAJ is an ISR high-altitude drone designed specifically for surveillance operations, providing real-time information to the high command, and helping to protect jawans on the ground. The drone’s J-shaped wings are equipped with solar-powered cells that serve as its primary fuel source, while an auxiliary battery provides additional propulsion or decreased speed as required. The drone will carry a versatile payload of high-resolution zoom cameras with thermal imagery and foliage-penetrating lidar sensors with a maximum capacity of 10 kg.

The drone’s technology will help it capture, process, and transmit photos and videos in real time, ensuring that the headquarters and base have access to vital information before planning strategic operations. SURAJ has an endurance time of 12 hours and can fly at an altitude of 3,000 feet. The drone is expected to support various setups, including the Indian Army, Navy, Air Force, BSF, CRPF, CISF, ITBP, DRDO, MOD, and MHA.

Recently, Garuda Aerospace raised $22 million, one of the largest Series A funding in the drone sector. The funds will be used in the development of a 1:1 prototype of SURAJ which will be ready to fly by August 2023. “Garuda Aerospace is one of the upcoming digital technology companies in the drone sector developing many technological solutions for various sectors like defence, agriculture, and industrial automation. We are trying to work closely with the company,” remarked Reddy.

Agnishwar Jayaprakash, founder and CEO, Garuda Aerospace, pointed out that the SURAJ drone will help in providing military and security support with solutions such as real-time monitoring. “We are being guided by NAL, DRDO, and several other scientists on the development of the SURAJ drone. We will be committed to providing innovative solutions to meet the evolving needs of our military and security forces. SURAJ will have ISR capability and will be equipped with AI, ML and bionic chip for advanced real-time processing,” Jayaprakash said.

Garuda Aerospace has also been partnering with the NDRF since the pandemic. Equipped with 400 drones and over 500 pilots across 84 cities, Garuda Aerospace offers support during different emergencies. Dhoni had also unveiled a camera drone called Droni at The Global Drone Expo in Chennai and became the firm’s brand ambassador of the company as well. The company is focused on two major multi-billion-dollar sectors—Precision Agri Tech and Industry 4.0 upgradation. Founded in 2015 with a team of five members, Garuda today has 200 plus people and has a fleet of over 400 drones and 500 pilots operating across 84 cities in the country. Garuda Aerospace manufactures 30 types of drones and offers 50 types of services. It has served more than 750 clients including TATA, Godrej, Adani, Reliance, Swiggy, Flipkart, Delhivery, L&T, Survey of India, SAIL, NTPC, IOCL, Smart cities, Intel, Amazon, Wipro, IISC, MIT Boston, NHAI for various projects. The company has also recently partnered with global companies such as Lockheed Martin, Cognizant and Elbit Systems. The company has also got DGCA approvals for Type Certification and Remote Pilot Training Organisation.