EndureAir raises ₹25 crore to power defense and logistics drones

EndureAir Systems, a deep-tech UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) company and aerial robotic solutions provider, has raised ₹25 crores in funding from IAN Alpha Fund, along with participation from IAN Angel Fund. The fresh capital will accelerate the company’s efforts in strengthening UAV capabilities for India’s defense sector, expanding into enterprise markets, and advancing high-altitude logistics and next-generation aerial robotics platforms.

Founded in 2018 by Dr. Abhishek, Professor of Aerospace Engineering at IIT Kanpur, along with his former students Rama Krishna and Chirag Jain, EndureAir has established itself as a frontrunner in India’s indigenous UAV ecosystem. Unlike many drone assemblers in the market, EndureAir designs and develops both hardware and software in-house, a capability rooted in more than 15 years of rotorcraft research and protected by a portfolio of eight patents. This research-driven model enables the company to deliver robust, mission-ready UAVs optimized for India’s diverse and challenging terrains.

EndureAir’s UAVs are already proving their mettle across multiple sectors. Its flagship logistics UAV family, Sabal (with payload capacities between 10–70 kg), has demonstrated proven high-altitude performance, with the 20-kg variant inducted into the Indian Army’s Eastern Command. The company’s long-endurance platform, Vibhram, played a pivotal role in Telangana’s Medicine from the Sky initiative by transporting vaccines to remote regions. Meanwhile, the nano-UAV series Alakh has been deployed in critical rescue operations, including the Chamoli cloudburst, Silkyara Tunnel collapse, and earthquake relief missions in Turkey.

In parallel, EndureAir is co-developing high-altitude logistics drones with Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) and collaborating with Bhutan’s Druk Holding & Investments (DHI) group to test UAV-based logistics missions to remote monasteries.

Commenting on the fundraise, Rama Krishna, Co-founder & CEO of EndureAir Systems, said, “As we continue to develop the next generation of deep-tech aerial robotics for the defense ecosystem, we are dedicated to promoting enterprise adoption of UAV technology. With the help of this fundraise led by IAN Alpha Fund, we can move more quickly to develop strong, domestic systems that can function well even in the most difficult environments.”

Sarika Saxena, Managing Partner, IAN Alpha Fund, added, “EndureAir embodies the very best of India’s deep-tech potential. By transforming cutting-edge research into powerful, indigenous solutions, they are meeting critical needs in defense, enterprise, and disaster response.”

Headquartered in Noida, Uttar Pradesh, and rooted in advanced UAV research at IIT Kanpur, EndureAir continues to emerge as a mission-driven enterprise contributing to defense modernization and enterprise innovation, while positioning India on the global UAV map.