In a boost to India’s indigenous defence capabilities, Noida-based startup IG Defence has unveiled Project KAL, a Made-in-India long-range strike drone designed to strengthen the country’s deep-penetration combat potential.
The platform marks the company’s entry into the rapidly growing category of unmanned strike systems, which have gained global prominence for their ability to deliver explosive payloads over long distances at relatively low cost.
From Surveillance to Strike Capabilities
According to Startuppedia, founded in 2018 by entrepreneurs Bodhisattwa Sanghapriya and Om Prakash, IG Defence began as a drone technology startup focused on unmanned aerial systems (UAS) for surveillance, mapping, and defence applications.
Over the years, the company has evolved into a broader defence technology firm, recently rebranding from IG Drones to IG Defence to reflect its expanding portfolio.
Sanghapriya, the company’s CEO, has been a strong advocate of indigenous defence innovation tailored to India’s operational needs. His co-founder, Om Prakash, serving as CTO, leads engineering efforts in autonomous flight systems and AI-enabled drone capabilities.
Today, headquartered in Noida, the firm employs hundreds of engineers and specialists working on a range of technologies, including surveillance drones, strike-capable UAVs, counter-drone systems, and AI-driven battlefield solutions.
What is Project KAL?
Project KAL comes at a time when unmanned strike platforms are reshaping modern warfare. Systems such as Iran’s Shahed-136 have shown how relatively inexpensive drones can target critical infrastructure and military installations, forcing adversaries to expend high-cost interceptors. This cost advantage has made long-range strike drones increasingly attractive for militaries worldwide.
Recognising this trend, IG Defence is positioning Project KAL as a Made-in-India deep-strike drone capable of operating far beyond frontline areas. The platform is designed for long-range missions against high-value targets, with a projected range of up to 1,000 kilometres and an endurance of three to five hours.
Such capabilities allow the drone to loiter over a target, gather intelligence, and adjust its trajectory before executing a precision strike. It is also designed to carry high-explosive payloads to neutralise strategic assets, including logistics hubs, radar installations, and critical infrastructure nodes.
Scaling Manufacturing and R&D
To support Project KAL and other initiatives, IG Defence is expanding its manufacturing and R&D footprint. A major production facility in Noida became operational in late 2025, and additional UAV manufacturing plants are planned in Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh, and Ganjam, Odisha, which are expected to significantly scale production capacity by 2028.
The startup’s portfolio already includes intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) drones, counter-UAV systems, strike-capable platforms, and training simulators for military applications.
India’s Defence Startup Momentum
Project KAL is still in its early stages, with IG Defence promising to reveal more technical details as development progresses. The announcement highlights the growing ambition of India’s private defence sector.
Government initiatives promoting indigenous defence manufacturing, particularly under the Atmanirbhar Bharat framework, are creating new opportunities for startups like IG Defence to contribute to military innovation.
