300 kmph and Radar-Proof: India’s Fastest Combat Drone Born in a Hostel Room

Image Source : The Times of India

Two 20-year-old engineering students from BITS Pilani’s Hyderabad campus have stunned India’s defence circles by building radar-proof, bomb-dropping drones—right from their hostel room. Their startup, Apollyon Dynamics, launched just two months ago, has already secured multiple orders from Indian Army units across Jammu, Panagarh, Arunachal Pradesh, and Chandimandir.

Key Highlights:

- The drones reach speeds of over 300 kmph, nearly five times faster than commercial UAVs.
- They are radar-evading and capable of delivering 1kg payloads with pinpoint accuracy.
- Built using off-the-shelf parts, the drones were ruggedised for Indian terrain and tested through live demos.
- A cold LinkedIn message to a colonel led to their first Army demo in Chandigarh, triggering a wave of orders.

Strategic Impact and Expansion:

- The duo—Jayant Khatri (mechanical engineering) and Sourya Choudhury (electrical engineering)—aim to reduce India’s reliance on imported defence tech.
- Their team now includes six more students working on next-gen VTOL and fixed-wing platforms.
- Apollyon Dynamics also trains Army personnel, including first-time drone operators.

Campus to Combat:

What began as a defence-tech club has evolved into a frontline innovation hub. The startup’s success is being hailed as a milestone in student-led indigenous defence manufacturing.

Sources: Times Now, Times of India, News18, NewsBytes, India TV, MSN India.