Latest Indian Aviation News
Chandrasekaran’s exit puts Tata’s Air India bet under fresh scrutiny
2026-08-15
Chandrasekaran's exit raises questions about Air India's future and Tata's ambitious aviation strategy amid leadership changes.
Read more →
Motilal Oswal Small Cap, Bank of India Small Cap, Parag Parikh Flexi Cap, Helios Flexi Cap: Flat Nifty, Divided Fortunes: The Two-Year Tale of Equity Fund Winners and Losers
2026-08-15
Two-year performance reveals how market rotations, drawdown protection and stock selection sharply separated equity fund winners from laggards
Read more →
From 25 crore to 100 crore in a decade: PM Modi highlights India’s record social security expansion
2026-08-15
New Delhi, Aug 15: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his Independence Day address from the ramparts of the Red Fort today, highlighted the unprecedented expansion in India's social security coverage, noting that the number of people covered has increased from 25 crore before 2014 to 100 crore within a decade. The Prime Minister said that the resolve for a developed India would be fulfilled only when development reaches the last person. Underlining the expansion of social security coverage, he said, “Before 2014, only 25 crore people had social security cover. He further added, “Only 25 crores in the last 5-7 decades; we have provided social security cover to 100 crore countrymen within a decade.” Emphasising upon the benefits reaching families through social security and welfare measures, the Prime Minister also referred to the Ayushman Bharat scheme, under which elderly persons above 70 years of age are receiving free treatment up to ₹5 lakh. The Prime Minister highlighted the significant progress made in creating new avenues of employment and entrepreneurship for the youth over the past decade. He noted that the Startup India initiative has enabled the growth of more than 2.5 lakh registered startups, with young entrepreneurs not only creating opportunities for themselves but also generating employment for others. He further underlined the role of the ₹1 lakh crore Innovation Fund, Skill India, Digital India, the opening up of the space and aviation sectors, and the National Drone Policy in creating new opportunities for employment, skilling and entrepreneurship. The expansion of airports, new air routes, aircraft manufacturing, maintenance and overhauling is also generating employment for skilled workers, the Prime Minister said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi reiterated that ensuring that the benefits of development reach the last person remains central to the vision of a Viksit Bharat.
Read more →
2 Delhi friends build Enord to develop 100 km-range AI-powered drones that work without GPS; made ₹3.3Cr in FY26
2026-08-15
Drones are increasingly used in defence and industrial operations for surveillance, inspections, and critical missions. But most conventional drones have one major weakness: they rely heavily on GPS for navigation. In environments where GPS signals are weak, jammed, or deliberately spoofed, these drones can lose their ability to navigate, hold position, or complete their missions. Another challenge is that they often transmit raw video feeds for processing elsewhere, making them slower and less effective in time-sensitive situations. Spotting this gap years before GPS-denied operations became a key focus for defence forces, founder Muhammad Anas and co-founder Zain Saeed started Enord in 2021. The startup develops indigenous AI-powered, GPS-independent drone technology that enables drones to navigate, detect obstacles, plan flight paths, and make decisions on their own without relying on GPS or internet connectivity. “Our VTOL drones offer a range of over 100 km, and through our mixed-reality training simulator, Enord supplies electronic warfare-resilient drone solutions to the Indian Armed Forces to help secure our borders and protect the country,” Muhammad Anas tells Startup Pedia in an exclusive interview. About Enord Founders, Muhammad Anas and Zain Saeed Enord co-founder Zain Saeed at a startup event Photograph: (by: Enord) Born in 1999 in Badaun, Uttar Pradesh, and raised in Delhi , Muhammad Anas comes from a modest, hardworking family. His father worked as a blacksmith and also had ran a small solar power business with his uncle. Muhammad Anas enrolled in a B.Tech in Information Technology at IP University, Delhi, in 2018. Another co-founder, Mr Zain Saeed is a long-time childhood friend and was Anas's senior in school. They have remained in touch since their school days in the early 2010s, eventually teaming up professionally to launch Enord in 2021. Described as an entrepreneur and educationist, Zain serves as the Chief Operating Officer. He brings strong persuasion abilities and focuses heavily on overseeing Enord's daily operations, business development, and market scaling. Motivation behind Enord Enord's engineers work on assembling and testing a drone prototype Photograph: (by: Zain Saeed) Despite completing his education in IT, Muhammad Anas went on to build a drone startup because of his interest in this sector since school days. “College was mostly for engineering purposes, to understand the fundamentals. However, the idea of building drones was a personal hobby and passion. It was not heavily involved with my college activities or the curriculum, because the domain was completely different,” Muhammad tells Startup Pedia. During his college days, Anas did a lot of research on the internet such as reading numerous documents and watching YouTube videos on drones. He further attended different exhibitions and seminars to gather knowledge, started speaking about the technology, and then began conducting training workshops in schools and colleges. During his first year of college in 2018, Anas founded his first startup, a drone edtech company called Elight SPM. Through the venture, he trained more than 2,000 students across India in drone design and development. What Problem Enord is Solving? A glimpse of Enord drone system Photograph: (by: Zain Saeed) Conventional drones are dependent on GPS and internet connectivity. This causes jamming of GPS signals and loss of connectivity in tunnels, power plants, and high-rising buildings where proper signal is not available and it causes loss of navigation and control. “To overcome this problem, we have developed GPS-denied navigation technology that uses onboard sensors, computer vision, and AI to fly autonomously, maintain stable positioning, avoid obstacles, and complete missions without relying on satellite signals or internet connectivity,” Muhammad says. Another major challenge is the delay in processing intelligence. Enord addresses this through AI-on-edge technology, embedding powerful processors and proprietary AI models directly into the drone. As a result, the drone can process data onboard, detect and track targets, identify obstacles, and make real-time decisions without depending on external servers. The startup is also improving safety by reducing the need for humans to enter hazardous environments. Its compact drones are designed to inspect fire-damaged buildings, collapsed structures, industrial facilities, and hostile combat zones, allowing critical missions to be carried out remotely Building Enord Team Enord Photograph: (by: Zain Saeed) The foundation of Enord was laid way back in 2018-19 when Muhammad Anas was researching a way to fly a swarm of drones into confined spaces. He realized that standard drones would fail in these environments because they rely entirely on satellite GPS signals for navigation. Recognizing that confined space navigation and GPS-denied technology were the true underlying challenges, Anas pivoted his focus to building a fundamental technology layer that could operate autonomously without external signals. Early Hustle, Incubation & Incorporation After conceptualization, Anas created a pitch deck outlining his GPS-denied navigation problem statement and approached multiple incubation centers. Ultimately, he secured a workspace at the IIIT Delhi Incubation Center. In 2019, the team pitched to IIT Mandi Catalyst, eventually securing their first critical grant, followed by additional support from the Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY) and IIIT Delhi. On January 29, 2021, Anas, alongside his childhood friend Zain Saeed as Co-Founder and COO, officially incorporated Enord as a Private Limited company. Developing the Tech: A "Technology-First" Approach A glimpse of flying drone by Enord Photograph: (by: Zain Saeed) After setting up their workspace, the founders shifted their focus to building technology that would be difficult for competitors to replicate. “Our biggest priority was to develop proprietary AI-on-edge capabilities. Instead of relying on external servers or GPS, we embedded GPUs and our own AI algorithms directly into the drone,” the Delhi-based founder tells Startup Pedia. This led to the development of their flagship Inspector drone, which can process data onboard, detect obstacles, and make real-time flight decisions while navigating without GPS or internet connectivity. Challenges Faced In the early days, convincing customers to adopt such advanced drone technology was far from easy. The founders spent countless hours pitching their solution, often attending hundreds of meetings. According to them, out of every 100 pitches, only about 10 potential customers showed genuine interest, and just two eventually converted into paying clients. The turning point came as electronic warfare became a growing concern for defence forces. Military developments, including Operation Snow Leopard, highlighted how vulnerable conventional GPS-dependent drones were to jamming and spoofing attacks. Since Enord had already spent years developing GPS-denied, electronic warfare-resilient drones, the startup was well prepared to meet the Indian Armed Forces' rapidly growing demand for such technology. Commercialization As demand for its products grew, Enord expanded its operations by setting up a 4,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Okhla, New Delhi, with the capacity to produce approx 200 drones every month. The startup also strengthened its leadership team by appointing Dr. Ashok Kumar Solanki, former Registrar of IIIT Delhi, as its Vice President. To support its growth, Enord secured upfront contracts to develop customised drone solutions for clients. In 2024, the startup had entered the commercialisation phase. About Enord Drones Currently, Enord offers a wide range of drones, including surveillance drones, inspection drones, kamikaze drones, fixed-wing drones, and multi-rotor drones. Its product portfolio spans five key verticals: Inspector Lite, Inspector X, Altitude, EDIY, and FPV. In addition to its drone platforms, the startup has developed a proprietary mixed-reality drone simulator for advanced pilot training. Enord has also worked closely with the School of Artillery in Deolali and secured a training contract from the Indian Army's Army Training Command (ARTRAC). Specifications & Features of Enord Drones Inspector X The Inspector X is a next-generation, AI-powered, IDDM-compliant (Indigenously Designed, Developed, and Manufactured) quadcopter built for mission-critical operations and electronic warfare (EW)-resilient environments. Capabilities & Features: AI Pilot: Features an integrated AI computing module that enables autonomous target detection, lock-on tracking, and vision/language model (VLM & LLM)-based decision-making. GPS-Denied Operations: Equipped with Dynamic Object Avoidance & Autonomy-First (DOOAF) technology, allowing it to operate in signal-denied or electronically hostile environments affected by jamming. Modular Payload System: Includes three payload bays that support stabilised EO/IR cameras, LiDAR, mapping cameras, winch systems, and payload drop mechanisms. Technical Specifications : Maximum Take-Off Weight (MTOW): 8.5 kg Payload Capacity: 2 kg Endurance: 90 minutes Operational Range (LOS): 15 km Maximum Altitude: 4,500 m AMSL Maximum Speed: 54 km/h (Cruise speed: 36 km/h) Wind Resistance: 45 km/h Inspector Lite The Inspector Lite is an AI-driven, foldable drone designed for rapid deployment, precise situational awareness, and detailed inspections in critical environments. Capabilities & Features: Omnidirectional Collision Prevention: Detects and avoids obstacles from a distance of 2–4 metres during both manual and autonomous flights. AI-Driven Target Models: Equipped with built-in AI models for crowd detection and counting, tree mapping, bird counting to prevent aviation strikes, and animal identification for wildlife conservation. Swappable Payloads: Supports 4K cameras and LiDAR mapping configurations. Altitude (Dual-Use VTOL Series) The Altitude series consists of Vertical Take-Off and Landing (VTOL) drones that require no runway or launcher. These dual-use platforms combine ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance) capabilities with kamikaze precision-strike applications. Some of the variants are Altitude 15, Altitude 25, Altitude 50, and Altitude 100 (the numbers indicate the maximum operational range in kilometres). Capabilities & Features: Camera Array: Equipped with a 40x optical zoom 4K UHD daylight camera and an 8x digital zoom 720p thermal IR camera for night-time operations. Secure Communications: Uses AES-256 encrypted communication on non-ISM frequency bands with ultra-low latency of approximately 15 ms. Advanced Operations: Supports Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) operations, swarm networking, and electronic warfare-resilient systems. Technical Specifications (Altitude 100): Operational Range (LOS): 100 km Endurance: Up to 6 hours Payload Capacity: 2 kg (modular) HAVOC Series (Tactical FPV) The HAVOC series comprises high-speed First Person View (FPV) drones designed for tactical military operations, rapid reconnaissance, counter-terrorism missions, and precision strikes. Variants are HAVOC 5" Training, HAVOC 7", HAVOC 10" Tactical, and HAVOC 13" Tactical Capabilities & Features: Night Vision: Equipped with 640×512 resolution thermal imaging for round-the-clock operations. Tactical Kit: Delivered as a ready-to-deploy system, including the UAV, professional low-latency FPV goggles, and a rugged military-grade carrying case. Technical Specifications: MTOW: ≤ 3 kg Dimensions: Compact design (under 500 mm) Endurance: Approximately 20 minutes Maximum Speed: Up to 100 km/h Wind Resistance: Up to 72 km/h EDIY Drone Kit The EDIY is an educational and customisable foldable drone kit designed for builders and drone enthusiasts. The kit includes a flight controller, electronic speed controllers (ESCs), four brushless motors, propellers, a camera gimbal system, battery, charger, and remote control. Also Read: 30-YO built 'Andromeida' to develop autonomous underwater robots for ocean; projecting ₹8 Cr in FY27 Pricing, Current Production Capacity, Demand & Sales The facility is equipped to produce around 200 drones per month. Production output is adjusted based on active procurement cycles rather than steady daily consumer demand. Because defense contracts operate in bulk, monthly shipments fluctuate. The company shipped a batch of approximately 10 drones in July 2026. Also Read: Tamil Nadu's Avironix builds drones for crop spraying, farm monitoring & surveillance; projects ₹8Cr in FY27 Major Clients & Pricing Till date, Enord has sold around 1,000 drones to the Indian Army, which is the company's largest recurring client. It has also supplied drones to the Indian Air Force, Indian Navy, and several private enterprises. Currently, Enord's drones are priced between Rs 1 lakh and Rs 1 crore, depending on the model and capabilities. Also Read: Bengaluru's Strider Robotics develops 4-legged robots that can automate industrial inspections and detect faults Annual Revenue In FY25, Enord generated an annual revenue of Rs 1 crore. In FY26, it reached Rs 3.3 crore. For the upcoming cycle, Enord is projecting growth between 7x and 10x. Anas noted that they currently hold a confirmed order backlog of over $2 million (approximately Rs 20 Crore). FAQ Q. What problem does Enord solve in the drone industry? A. Enord develops GPS-independent drones that can operate in areas affected by GPS jamming, spoofing, or poor connectivity. Q. How do Enord drones work without GPS? A. Enord drones use AI, computer vision, and onboard sensors to navigate, detect obstacles, and make real-time decisions without GPS or internet connectivity. Q. Who uses Enord drones? A. Enord supplies drones to the Indian Army, Indian Air Force, Indian Navy, and private enterprises for surveillance, inspection, and defence operations. Q. What is the range of Enord drones? A. Enord’s Altitude VTOL drones can achieve an operational range of over 100 km and are designed for long-endurance missions.
Read more →
Reliance, Rolls-Royce team up for India’s advanced fighter jet engine programme
2026-08-15
The proposed collaboration comes as India seeks greater self-reliance in defence technology and prepares to develop next-generation twin-engine combat aircraft
Read more →
Government cuts windfall tax on petrol, diesel and aviation fuel
2026-08-15
The special duty on diesel exports has been cut to Rs 24 from Rs 25.5, on aviation fuel to Rs 19.5 from Rs 22 and on petrol to zero from Rs 3.5.
Read more →
PM Modi highlights 12 years of transformation, cites major gains in manufacturing, digital economy, energy and social security
2026-08-15
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his Independence Day address from the Red Fort on Saturday, highlighted what he described as a significant transformation of India over the past 12 years, citing rapid expansion in manufacturing, digital infrastructure, energy capacity, education, social security and opportunities for youth. The Prime Minister said the progress made during the [...]
Read more →
India Turns 80: A Proud Citizen's View On Why India Is Inevitable
2026-08-15
We have a stock market that is large, liquid and genuinely diverse. We have a government that has made growth a clear priority. And we have an RBI that has earned its credibility the hard way - through inflation battles, currency management, and a consistent refusal to take reckless shortcuts.
Read more →
Modi government reduces windfall tax on diesel, ATF exports
2026-08-15
The Indian government has announced a reduction in the windfall tax on diesel as well as aviation turbine fuel (ATF) exports.
Read more →
Indian envoy to Nepal stresses stronger connectivity and energy partnership
2026-08-15
Kathmandu, Aug 15 (IANS) India's Ambassador to Nepal, Naveen Srivastava, on Saturday, highlighted the expansion of multifaceted relations between Nepal and India, with particular emphasis on growing connectivity between the two countries. In his message on the occasion of India’s 80th Independence Day, the Ambassador said the construction of roads, bridges and railways was strengthening connectivity between Nepal and India. “Railway connectivity between the Indian railway system and Biratnagar in Nepal will make Nepal's customs, trade and transit arrangements more efficient and effective,” he said. “The launch of cross-border digital payments will make it easier for the large number of Nepali citizens working in India to send their hard-earned remittances home to Nepal.” He said cooperation on electricity transmission lines and related sectors was also contributing to sustainable development on both sides. The two sides are also expanding cooperation in hydropower development, with Indian companies developing a number of hydropower projects in Nepal. “India-Nepal cooperation and stronger connectivity are now helping to promote greater collaboration in many emerging areas, including startups, aviation, information technology and renewable energy,” Ambassador Srivastava said. “We are also working to strengthen cooperation in areas such as space and sports, particularly cricket.” According to the Ambassador, cooperation is steadily expanding in areas including commerce, investment, energy development, education, disaster response and risk reduction. Referring to India’s post-earthquake assistance, Srivastava said India had supported the reconstruction of 12 cultural heritage projects in Nepal following the 2015 earthquake. Their virtual inauguration and handover during the visit of Nepal Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal to New Delhi in June, he said, reflected India’s continued commitment to development cooperation with Nepal. Referring to Nepal’s recent political developments, the Indian Ambassador said Prime Minister Narendra Modi had congratulated Nepal’s new leadership following the elections and reaffirmed India’s commitment to strengthening bilateral ties. Following the March 5 elections, Nepal formed a new government under the leadership of Prime Minister Balendra Shah, who is also a senior leader of the ruling Rastriya Swatantra Party. Srivastava said India remained committed to working with the people and government of Nepal to promote peace, progress and mutual prosperity. Meanwhile, on the occasion of Independence Day, the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu also organised a flag-hoisting ceremony on Saturday morning. --IANS scor/as
Read more →