MS Dhoni-backed Garuda Aerospace hosted officers from College of Defence Management at their new facility inaugurated by Shri Sanjay Seth, Hon’ble Union Minister of State for Defence

Chennai, India – August 28, 2025Garuda Aerospace, India’s leading drone manufacturer backed by M.S. Dhoni, welcomed officers from the College of Defence Management (CDM), Hyderabad to its newly inaugurated defence drone facility in Chennai. The visit marked a significant step in strengthening academia-industry collaboration and showcased the strategic role of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in modern defence operations.

The facility was inaugurated by Shri Sanjay Seth, Hon’ble Union Minister of State for Defence, who also unveiled five advanced UAVs tailored for defence and disaster response. These include:

  • G500 Reconnaissance Drone
  • Swarm Drones for coordinated tactical operations
  • UGV (Unmanned Ground Vehicle) for terrain missions
  • Droni Drone, inspired by M.S. Dhoni, for surveillance and rapid response
  • Canister Dropping Drone for battlefield payload delivery
  • Plus drones for agriculture, solar panel cleaning, and precision logistics

Facility Highlights

CDM officers toured key zones including:

  • Drone Assembly & Quality Assurance
  • R&D and Simulation Labs
  • RPTO Training & Stimulation Facility

These immersive sessions provided hands-on exposure to Garuda’s rigorous production protocols and pilot training systems.

Strategic Announcements

During the event, Garuda Aerospace launched:

  • The Garuda Raksha Udaan 2025 Impact Book
  • A Defence Drone Lab in partnership with the 13 JAK Rifles
  • Foundation stone for a 76-acre Defence Drone Park at Cheyyur
  • Free drone training for soldiers’ widows
  • Remote Pilot Certification (RPC) for defence personnel

Leadership Commentary

“This initiative bridges the gap between defence education and real-world drone applications. We aim to equip India’s future defence leaders with the tools and insights needed for evolving security challenges,” said Agnishwar Jayaprakash, Founder & CEO, Garuda Aerospace.

As a brand ambassador and honorary Lieutenant Colonel, M.S. Dhoni continues to champion Garuda’s mission to align indigenous drone innovation with national defence priorities.