In a significant boost to India’s push for self-reliance in advanced defence technologies, Raghu Vamsi Aerospace Group on Tuesday announced the launch of a new DeepTech design, production and integration facility while unveiling a comprehensive portfolio of indigenous unmanned and autonomous defence systems. The twin announcements mark one of the company’s largest expansions to date, backed by an investment exceeding ₹100 crore in manufacturing infrastructure and next-generation technology development.
The new facility, named the Citadel Campus, is located at Hardware Park near the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, Hyderabad. Designed as a large-scale hub for design engineering, system integration, assembly and testing, the campus significantly enhances the Group’s ability to support Indian strategic defence programmes and global OEMs with faster turnaround times and scalable production capacity.
Expanding Industrial Footprint
Raghu Vamsi Aerospace Group currently operates 10 manufacturing facilities across three countries and employs over 1,000 professionals. The company has established itself as a key supplier of aero-engine components, missile subsystems and precision assemblies to Indian Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs) and global aerospace majors.
The Citadel Campus builds on this foundation, enabling the company to move further up the value chain by integrating concept design, prototyping, qualification, and full-scale production under one roof. The facility aligns closely with the Ministry of Defence’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative, aimed at reducing import dependence in critical defence technologies.
Indigenous UAV and Autonomous Systems Unveiled
Alongside the infrastructure launch, the company introduced six indigenous defence product families, spanning aerial, ground and mission-support domains. Developed entirely in India, these systems reflect the country’s rapidly expanding technological footprint in unmanned and autonomous warfare solutions.
The unveiled portfolio includes jet-powered loitering munitions, long-endurance kamikaze UAVs, decoy drones, target drones, tethered surveillance drones, unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs), autonomous ground combat systems, air-launched missile systems, micro turbojet engines, and robotic aircraft maintenance solutions. Designed for surveillance, deep-strike missions, battlefield logistics and force protection, several platforms are capable of operating at ranges exceeding 300 km with speeds of up to 650 kmph.
The product line—RV Astra, RV Maya, RV Lakshya, RV Rudra, RV Indra, RV Yodha and RV Drishti—signals a decisive shift in India’s defence ecosystem, from being a buyer of UAV and propulsion technologies to a nation capable of designing and manufacturing future-ready unmanned systems at scale.
Strategic Partnerships and MoUs
To accelerate development and deployment, Raghu Vamsi Aerospace Group announced the signing of four strategic MoUs with leading defence and research institutions.
A key MoU was signed with the 515 Army Base Workshop of the Indian Army for the co-design, development, testing and validation of advanced drone platforms and associated systems. Under this collaboration, ARROBOT, the Group’s autonomous systems arm, will support the Workshop in becoming a system integrator and in establishing dedicated drone manufacturing facilities within its premises.
Another major MoU was signed with Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) for the co-development and supply of fully indigenised 200 kgf thrust-class engines, intended to power next-generation autonomous fighter and high-performance unmanned platforms—a critical milestone in India’s propulsion self-reliance journey.
The Group also entered into an MoU with IIIT Hyderabad to co-develop AI-based autonomy, intelligent perception systems, swarm intelligence and mission management technologies, strengthening artificial intelligence integration in future UAVs. A fourth MoU with ARCI (International Advanced Research Centre for Powder Metallurgy and New Materials) focuses on laser cladding, additive manufacturing and thermal barrier coatings for next-generation aero-engine technologies.
High-Profile Defence and Scientific Presence
The launch event witnessed participation from senior leaders across India’s defence and scientific ecosystem. Dignitaries included Vice Admiral Sanjay Vatsayan, AVSM, NM, Vice Chief of the Naval Staff; Commodore A Madhavarao (Retd), CMD, Bharat Dynamics Ltd; Maj Gen Shivendra Kumar, VSM, ADG-EME, Indian Army; Dr G Satheesh Reddy, former Scientific Advisor to the Raksha Mantri and DRDO Chairman; and Lt Gen Vinod G Khandare, PVSM, AVSM, SM, Principal Advisor, Ministry of Defence.
Also present were Ajit Rangnekar, Director, Research and Innovation Circle of Hyderabad (RICH); Praveen P A, Director (Aerospace), Government of Telangana; Prof Ramesh Loganathan, Dean, IIIT Hyderabad; Dr R Vijay, Director, ARCI; and Dr BHVS Narayana Murthy, Vice Chancellor, Defence Institute of Advanced Technology (DIAT).
Industry Outlook and Vision
Commenting on the expansion, Vamsi Vikas, Founder and Managing Director, Raghu Vamsi Aerospace Group, said the facility and product lineup demonstrate India’s growing confidence in shaping its aerospace future.
“This investment is about more than building capacity; it is about building core defence technologies in India. We are developing globally benchmarked systems engineered for the next era of warfare, powered by homegrown talent. India is ready not only to meet domestic defence needs but also to emerge as a global supplier of high-technology aerospace systems.”
Strengthening India’s Defence Manufacturing Ecosystem
With global demand rising for unmanned systems and autonomous warfare solutions, the expansion positions Raghu Vamsi Aerospace Group as a key contributor to India’s defence exports and strategic capability development. By consolidating deep-tech design, propulsion expertise and autonomous systems, the Group is reinforcing India’s position as one of the world’s fastest-advancing defence manufacturing destinations.
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