Indian drone startup Raphe mPhibr has raised US$100 million in a series B funding round led by General Catalyst.

The Noida-based company plans to use the funds for research and development and to increase local production capabilities.

Founded in 2017 by siblings Vikash and Vivek Mishra, Raphe mPhibr specializes in drones for military and border surveillance.

The company currently offers nine models, including the mR10 operational drone swarm and the Bharat lightweight drone for surveillance.

Its clients include various Indian government agencies, such as the Army, Navy, Air Force, and border security forces.

The startup has partnered with international firms, including Germany’s Hensoldt and France’s Safran, to develop advanced sensors.

The company employs around 600 people and has been profitable for four years, raising a total of US$145 million in equity funding to date.

🔗 Source: TechCrunch

🧠 Food for thought

1️⃣ India’s strategic pivot from import dependency to indigenous drone manufacturing

India’s drone journey reflects a dramatic evolution from complete import dependency to growing self-reliance, with Raphe mPhibr exemplifying this transition.

The country’s initial drone capabilities came entirely from foreign sources, primarily Israel, which provided IAI Heron and Searcher drones after the 1999 Kargil War revealed critical surveillance gaps in mountainous terrain 1.

This dependency continued with major acquisitions like the $280 million deal for Heron drones in 2013 and a $400 million contract for 10 armed Heron TP drones 2.

India’s early attempts at indigenous production faced significant setbacks, with the DRDO’s Nishant project being canceled after all four units crashed during trials 1.

The current government’s restrictions on Chinese components, which previously constituted 70% of drone parts, have created both challenges and opportunities, potentially increasing production costs by up to 50% while fostering domestic innovation 3.

Raphe mPhibr’s approach of developing flight controllers, batteries, and structural components in-house represents the new model of self-sufficiency that India is striving for, though the company still imports radars and high-end cameras 4.