Months after Ratan Tata’s death, Noel Tata to boost ‘Make in India’ via.., announces BIG partnership with…

This latest collaboration between Tata Elxsi and Garuda Aerospace shows Tata Group's leverage on technology for national development while strengthening its position in emerging markets like defence and aerospace.

Tata Elxsi, a leading design and technology service provider, has joined forces with Garuda Aerospace, a prominent drone manufacturer, to establish a cutting-edge design, engineering, and certification center. This collaboration, formalized through a memorandum of understanding signed at the ongoing Aero India 2025 event in Bengaluru, aims to advance indigenous drone technologies.

The technologies developed at this new center will be helpful in Indian defence applications and extend to sectors such as agriculture and smart cities. This initiative aligns with the government’s ‘Make in India’ program, promoting self-reliance and innovation in key industries, Tata Elxsi announced on Wednesday.

 Tata Elxsi And Garuda Collaboration  

Tata Elxsi and Garuda Aerospace are showcasing prototypes, designs, and operational UAVs at Aero India 2025. In addition, a demonstration of indigenised UAV components highlights India’s advancements in autonomous UAV technologies.

Under the collaboration, Tata Elxsi will lead the design, development, testing, and certification of UAV subsystems, leveraging its expertise in avionics, miniaturisation, ground control systems, secured communication, and energy optimisation. 

Garuda Aerospace, as an original equipment maker, which has a strong presence in the defence sector, will lead business acquisition and delivery, it said.

The drones developed under this initiative will cater to multiple applications such as payload management, goods delivery, precision agriculture, and ISR (intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance) missions, addressing critical operational needs across industries, the company said.

“Our partnership with Garuda Aerospace marks a major milestone in India’s aerospace ambitions. By driving AI-powered UAV advancements, we are strengthening India’s defence ecosystem and reinforcing the country’s self-reliance in aerospace technologies,” said Jayaraj Rajapandian, Head of Aerospace, Rail & Off-highway, Tata Elxsi.

The company said the Indian defence forces and Border Security Force are expected to be key beneficiaries of this collaboration, gaining access to cutting-edge UAV capabilities.

Additionally, this initiative will create new employment opportunities and contribute to workforce development in the aerospace sector, it said.

“This strategic collaboration with Tata Elxsi reinforces our commitment to indigenous innovation. Over the next three to five years, we will focus on fully indigenised production and supply of airborne and ground systems, strengthening India’s leadership in UAV technology,” said Agnishwar Jayaprakash, Founder & CEO of Garuda Aerospace. 

Noel Tata’s Role In Tata Group

Noel Tata, an influential figure in the Tata Group, is closely associated with Tata Elxsi through his broader involvement in the conglomerate. As Chairman of Tata Trusts, which holds a significant stake in Tata Sons which is also the parent entity of the Tata Group, Noel plays a pivotal role in shaping the group’s strategic direction.

In addition to his leadership at Tata Trusts, Noel Tata serves on the boards of several Tata Group companies, including Tata International, Trent, and Tata Investment Corporation. 

(With Inputs from PTI)