NEW DELHI, — Marut Drones, an Indian drone technology company certified by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), has raised $6.2 million in Series A funding from Lok Capital. The new funding will fuel Marut’s plans to enhance its manufacturing capacity, develop specialized agricultural drones, and expand its reach to rural communities across India.
India’s 2022 ban on drone imports, intended to reduce dependency on foreign-made drones, has opened up opportunities for domestic drone manufacturers like Marut. The ban, which restricts all but defense, security, and research drones, is part of a government initiative to encourage local tech innovation, job creation, and self-sufficiency.
Hari Krishnan, Director at Lok Capital, expressed optimism about the investment, saying, “We’re excited to partner with Marut to bring drone solutions to farmers and the rural economy. Agricultural drones can help secure crop health, conserve water, protect soil, and increase yields, while also creating income opportunities for village-level entrepreneurs.”
Advancing rural and agricultural technology
Marut Drones plans to utilize the funding to address agricultural needs and create rural jobs. The company aims to launch 17 new drone training academies, expand service centers in smaller cities, and increase its annual manufacturing capacity to 3,000 drones. These efforts aim to meet India’s growing demand for trained drone operators and provide Drone-as-a-Service in rural communities.
CEO and Co-Founder Prem Kumar Vislawath highlighted the impact of the investment, stating, “This significant funding reinforces Marut Drones’ commitment to empower Indian farmers. It will enable us to expand our team, scale manufacturing, and work toward a revenue target of 1,000 crore over the next five years.”
Building partnerships and exploring new applications
Founded in 2019 by IIT alumni Prem Kumar Vislawath, Suraj Peddi, and Sai Kumar Chinthala, Marut Drones has become a leader in agricultural drone solutions with its AG365H, India’s first DGCA Type Certified medium-category agricultural drone. The company plans to expand into disaster management and security applications, further diversifying its offerings to serve India’s infrastructure needs.
Marut is also building partnerships with agricultural entrepreneurs, equipment manufacturers, and retailers to drive rural entrepreneurship and support India’s shift from foreign-made drones to domestic innovation.
About Marut Drones
Marut Drones employs over 200 people, manages a fleet of 750 drones, and operates across 14 states. The company’s focus is on creating reliable drone technology for critical sectors like agriculture, supporting both farmers and rural communities through localized innovation.
For more information, visit Marut Drones’ website.