MoU Signed to Establish Centre of Excellence for AI-Driven UAV Solutions in Defence, Agriculture, and Smart Cities
Bengaluru, February 12, 2025 – In a landmark move at Aero India 2025, Tata Elxsi, a global leader in design and technology services, and Garuda Aerospace, a pioneering UAV manufacturer, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish a Centre of Excellence for indigenous UAV design and development. This partnership aims to create cutting-edge drone technologies tailored for defence, agriculture, and smart city applications, aligning with India’s ‘Make in India’ initiative.
The collaboration focuses on developing AI-driven UAV systems, including drones, sensors, and eVTOL solutions, to address critical operational needs. Key highlights include a 20% reduction in energy consumption, over 20% cost savings, and a six-month acceleration in development cycles. The initiative also aims to build a 100% indigenous vendor ecosystem, reducing reliance on imports and fostering self-reliance in aerospace technologies.
Tata Elxsi will lead the design, development, testing, and certification of UAV subsystems, leveraging its expertise in avionics, secured communication, and energy optimization. Garuda Aerospace, as an OEM, will drive business acquisition and delivery, catering to applications like precision agriculture, goods delivery, and ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance) missions.
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Jayaraj Rajapandian of Tata Elxsi stated, “This partnership marks a major milestone in India’s aerospace ambitions, strengthening the country’s defence ecosystem.” Agnishwar Jayaprakash, CEO of Garuda Aerospace, added, “This collaboration reinforces our commitment to indigenous innovation and leadership in UAV technology.”
The initiative is expected to benefit Indian defence forces, create employment opportunities, and position India as a global leader in UAV technology. Prototypes and operational UAVs are being showcased at Aero India 2025, highlighting India’s advancements in autonomous drone systems.