In a defining moment for India’s defence technology landscape, Raphe mPhibr, a homegrown defence drone manufacturer, has raised an unprecedented ₹855 crore (US$ 100 million) in private capital. This landmark funding round, led by General Catalyst and joined by Think Investments, Mr. Amal Parikh, and several family offices, is being hailed as the largest capital infusion into India’s drone technology sector to date. The achievement is not just financial but symbolic of India's rising status in indigenous defence innovation.

This funding pushes Raphe mPhibr’s total capital raised to an impressive ₹1,240 crore (US$ 145 million), cementing its position as a leader in India's UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) space. The funds will be strategically utilised to expand the company’s full-stack capabilities, from aircraft design and engineering to mass production and integration. This growth is in direct response to India’s rapidly expanding need for indigenous aerospace and defence-grade UAV systems, particularly under national missions like Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India.

Founded in 2016 by Chairman Mr. Vikash Mishra and CEO Mr. Vivek Mishra, both accomplished aerospace technologists, Raphe mPhibr operates out of a state-of-the-art aerospace campus with over 600 employees. The firm has developed more than 100 proprietary technologies, logged over one million kilometres of UAV flight, and engineered several cutting-edge drone platforms that have proven operational capabilities in diverse and hostile terrains.

Among Raphe mPhibr’s flagship products is the mR10 drone swarm platform, designed for coordinated tactical operations, the mR20 high-altitude logistics drone tailored for supply missions in mountainous regions, the Bharat Drone, a man-portable reconnaissance system for infantry surveillance, and the X8 maritime drone, optimized for coastal and naval reconnaissance missions. These drones are engineered to perform in desert conditions, high altitudes, and maritime environments, offering both strategic depth and operational versatility.

A recent highlight showcasing Raphe mPhibr’s growing credibility was its deployment in Operation Sindoor in May 2025, an undisclosed yet high-profile military operation where their UAV systems played a critical role. This deployment not only underlines the tactical relevance of Raphe’s drones but also reflects the Indian armed forces’ growing reliance on indigenous UAV platforms for real-time surveillance, logistics, and combat readiness.

The infusion of ₹855 crore is expected to supercharge the company’s plans to scale its end-to-end production capabilities. Raphe mPhibr’s aerospace facility houses dedicated divisions for metal processing, composite materials, engine development, and military-grade electronics, all essential for building rugged and high-performance UAVs. These departments operate in synchronisation to ensure the speed and reliability of new drone models from conception to deployment.

The funding will be channelled into enhancing manufacturing automation, supply chain optimisation, and AI-driven flight systems, all critical to supporting India’s defence preparedness and export ambitions. With geopolitical tensions rising and the global drone market projected to grow exponentially, India has an opportunity to position itself as both a producer and exporter of military-grade UAVs.

In alignment with the government’s Make in India initiative, Raphe mPhibr plans to source a majority of its materials and components domestically, reducing dependency on foreign technologies and supply chains. This localisation strategy is in sync with the Aatmanirbhar Bharat defence roadmap, which promotes self-reliance in defence production and aims to transform India into a major global defence hub.

Moreover, the new funding round will help Raphe scale its R&D infrastructure, fast-track next-generation drone models, and explore dual-use applications in sectors like disaster management, agriculture surveillance, border security, and critical infrastructure monitoring. These applications could expand Raphe’s market from purely military solutions to civilian-government collaborations, thereby increasing the company's footprint in India’s growing technology-for-governance ecosystem.

The participation of General Catalyst, a renowned global investment firm with a history of backing deep-tech and defence technology firms, signifies a rising global investor interest in India’s strategic tech segment. Their partnership is expected to bring not just capital but also strategic guidance, access to global defence networks, and support in technology scaling and international go-to-market strategies.

CEO Mr. Vivek Mishra, in a post-funding statement, affirmed the company’s commitment to India’s sovereign security ecosystem: “This funding round reflects a collective belief in India’s ability to build for itself. Our mission is aligned with national goals to not only achieve self-sufficiency but also to lead in drone technology globally.”

India’s defence procurement strategy has undergone a shift in the last decade, with greater emphasis on indigenous R&D, private sector collaboration, and cutting-edge capabilities. Raphe mPhibr’s successful funding and rapid innovation trajectory align with the Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) 2020, which encourages domestic defence manufacturing through public-private partnerships.

In terms of technological leadership, Raphe mPhibr is one of the few Indian companies developing complete UAV platforms in-house, covering aspects such as airframe design, propulsion systems, sensor integration, mission-specific payloads, and command and control (C2) systems. This full-stack capability gives Raphe a competitive edge, reducing the need for international collaborations and accelerating turnaround from concept to operational deployment.

The rise of Raphe mPhibr also has geostrategic implications. As India eyes stronger defence partnerships with nations across Southeast Asia, Africa, and Eastern Europe, the export of indigenous drones could enhance India’s role in regional security and defence diplomacy. Dual-use drone technologies could also strengthen India’s participation in UN peacekeeping missions, disaster response frameworks, and global tech-for-peace initiatives.

With this ₹855 crore funding boost, Raphe mPhibr is not only fortifying its production lines but is also elevating the narrative of Indian innovation in defence. The next few years are expected to witness deployment of more advanced UAVs, deeper defence ecosystem collaborations, and India’s emergence as a drone innovation powerhouse.

In conclusion, Raphe mPhibr’s historic ₹855 crore capital raise, the largest in India’s drone sector, is more than a business milestone—it’s a strategic leap for India’s aerospace and defence self-reliance. With deepening investment, strong operational track record, and visionary leadership, the company is perfectly poised to drive India’s ambitions in next-gen drone warfare, AI integration, and military-grade technology exports.

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