Garuda Aerospace readies defence drone hub in Chennai

Garuda Aerospace is readying a new defence drone hub in Chennai for deeper R&D and advanced manufacturing practices, while gearing up for an IPO to drive global expansion and exports. In this exclusive interview, Agnishwar Jayaprakash, Founder and CEO of Garuda Aerospace, shares insights about their manufacturing facility and how they are levelling it up for the global market.

- Agnishwar Jayaprakash

How is your manufacturing facility designed to handle scale while ensuring quality and cost efficiency in drone production?

Our manufacturing facility is highly scalable, maintaining stringent quality control and cost efficiency through a modular production line. Automation of repetitive tasks enhances speed and precision, complements quality management with rigorous testing, and reduces labour costs. Optimising the supply chain and lean manufacturing principles minimises waste and operational overhead, enabling us to ramp up production while keeping costs competitive.

How are you addressing supply chain challenges, especially around sourcing electronics, sensors, and aerospace-grade materials?

We are focusing on building a resilient and largely indigenous sourcing network. We have made significant progress in reducing reliance on foreign components by creating a strong ecosystem of local vendors for electronics, sensors, and aerospace-grade materials. This is achieved through strategic partnerships and a dedicated R&D effort to develop and qualify Indian-made alternatives. We employ a multi-sourcing strategy for critical components to mitigate risks associated with geopolitical events or the failure of a single supplier. By maintaining a buffer stock of essential parts and leveraging long-term contracts with key suppliers, we keep a stable and predictable flow of materials.