NOIDA, India (Diya TV) — In a landmark development for India’s defense sector, Noida-based aerospace startup Raphe mPhibr has raised $145 million, marking the largest-ever fundraising round for an Indian aerospace manufacturing firm. This milestone comes just weeks after the company’s drones played a key role in Operation Sindoor, a military mission launched in May 2025 in response to a deadly terror attack in Pahalgam.
The funding round was led by U.S.-based venture capital firm General Catalyst, which invested $100 million. Neeraj Arora, managing director at General Catalyst, said the firm is proud to back Raphe mPhibr, praising the leadership of co-founders Vivek and Vikash Mishra for their deep understanding of India’s defense needs and future goals.
During Operation Sindoor, Raphem Phibr’s drones struck terrorist camps and military installations in Pakistan. This was in retaliation for Pakistani-backed drone attacks on Indian cities, including Jammu, Amritsar, and Jaisalmer. India responded with high-precision air and missile strikes, leveraging advanced systems like the BrahMos missile, Akash Air Defense System, and indigenous drone technology.
India’s air defense successfully intercepted all incoming threats using systems like the DRDO-developed Akashteer and the Russian S-400. Indigenous innovations such as the D4 anti-drone system and the Nagastra-1 loitering munition also played a crucial role.
The success of Operation Sindoor underlined the effectiveness of India’s growing defense ecosystem. Raphe mPhibr’s achievement reflects the increasing confidence of investors in homegrown defense firms. The company currently supplies drones to the Indian Army, Navy, Air Force, and paramilitary forces. It now aims to expand into global markets and has secured export licenses.
CEO Vivek Mishra said that India needs to build a strong ecosystem in drone technology to stay ahead of global players like China. The company plans to manufacture radar and high-end cameras in-house within the next 18 months to reduce import dependence.
Raphe mPhibr designs and produces most components domestically, including flight controllers, batteries, and drone structures made from carbon fiber composites and thermoplastics. It has developed India’s first military-grade autopilot system and internal combustion engine for drones. Since its founding in 2017, the startup has flown over a million kilometers and currently offers nine drone models with payload capacities ranging from 2 to 200 kilograms.
India’s defense industry has seen remarkable growth, driven by the government’s “Make in India” and “Atmanirbhar Bharat” initiatives. Indigenous defense production has grown by 174% since 2014–15, reaching ₹2.7 lakh crore (around $16 billion) in the fiscal year 2023–24.
Defense imports have dropped significantly. In 2010, India was the world’s largest importer of military equipment, accounting for 11% of global imports. As of 2024, India ranks fourth with just 4%. Meanwhile, defense exports have soared from ₹1,500 crore in 2017 to ₹23,600 crore in 2024 — a 41% compound annual growth rate.
India is now exporting arms to over 100 countries. Programs like the iDEX initiative, the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for drones, and the Defense Industrial Corridors are helping private firms like Raphe mPhibr, Bharat Forge, and Tata boost domestic production.
India’s deployment of advanced indigenous systems such as the Akash, BrahMos, and MRSAM during Operation Sindoor signals a major shift in defense capabilities. The DRDO has also transferred technology for nine systems to private firms to accelerate production.
With new systems like the Akash-NG and BrahMos-II in development, India is poised to stay at the forefront of global defense innovation. By reducing import dependency and strengthening strategic autonomy, India is building a defense sector that not only supports national security but also contributes to economic growth.
As Raphe mPhibr’s record-breaking funding shows, Indian startups are now key players in the country’s defense narrative. The success of homegrown defense systems and startups signals a turning point in India’s journey toward becoming a self-reliant military power.
