An Ahmedabad-based startup has created a specialized drone capable of remotely detonating grenades — and the Indian Army has taken notice.

In a significant boost to locally developed defence technology, the Army has placed an initial order for 20 units of the drone. The inventor, younger engineer from Gujarat with a background in robotics and embedded systems, designed the drone to address the need for safer explosive handling in high-risk zones.

This drone isn’t just about flying — it’s designed to carry and release grenades with precision, and more importantly, detonate them remotely without putting soldiers in harm’s way. The system reportedly uses a combination of onboard sensors, remote triggering, and GPS coordination, allowing soldiers to carry out controlled blasts from a safe distance.

What’s particularly interesting is that the drone was not developed by a large defence firm, but by an individual innovator working independently and later receiving support from a local incubator. His idea was tested in field conditions and demonstrated to Army officials, who were impressed enough to request more units for further evaluation.

The invention is part of a growing push to integrate drone tech into India’s defence and surveillance strategies. With homegrown talent like this, it’s clear that India’s defence tech space is entering a new era.

This development also highlights the broader role of Indian startups and tech minds contributing to national security in practical ways — not just with software but with impactful hardware.