India is undergoing a quiet but powerful shift in defense and aerospace. Leading this transformation is a homegrown deep-tech player; Raphe Mphibr, a Noida-based startup redefining what it means to build drones for both combat and humanitarian use.
Raphe is doing more than just manufacturing drones. It is creating the critical systems that will define India’s strategic autonomy in unmanned aerial systems (UAS). Whether in military operations or disaster zones, its technologies are designed to serve with precision and purpose.
Founded in Stealth, Built for Purpose
In 2017, brothers Vikash and Vivek Mishra, alumni of MIT and Georgia Tech,launched Raphe in stealth mode. Their mission was clear: build every major drone component within India.
They didn’t rush. Instead, they spent years on R&D, achieving breakthroughs in propulsion, avionics, materials, and AI before making a public debut. This “build-first, scale-later” approach sets Raphe apart in India’s aerospace ecosystem.
Made in Noida, Designed for India
At the heart of Raphe’s operations is a massive 650,000 sq. ft. facility in Noida. It’s fully integrated with labs and teams working on:
- In-house engines and propulsion
- Embedded systems and software
- Avionics and electronics
- Aerodynamics testing
- Final assembly and integration
Most importantly, zero components come from China, reinforcing national security and ensuring full control over quality
Battlefield-Tested Platforms
Raphe has developed nine operational drone platforms, each engineered for mission-specific roles:
- mR10 Swarm Drones: AI-powered coordinated formations capable of autonomous reconnaissance and strike; used in real combat during Operation Sindoor.
- mR20 Logistics UAV: Built for high-altitude missions in the Himalayas, carrying 20+ kg payloads in extreme terrain.
- Bharat UAV: Lightweight, infantry-ready surveillance drone.
- X8 Maritime Patrol Drone: Designed for coastal surveillance, vessel tracking, and naval operations.
All platforms have seen active deployment across the Army, Navy, and special forces, validating Raphe’s systems under real-world combat stress.
The Engineering Stack: What Makes Raphe Different
What makes Raphe unique is its end-to-end in-house technology. Key innovations include:
- Swarm AI & Autonomous Navigation: For collaborative missions and recon.
- Internal Combustion UAV Engines: Suited for India’s altitudes and distances.
- Carbon-Kevlar Frames: Light, strong, stealth-ready.
- Edge AI: Real-time analysis without relying on cloud systems.
- Anti-Jamming Systems: Secure communications in hostile zones.
- 3D Printed Components: Fast repairs and mission agility.
This gives Raphe tight control over performance, speed of innovation, and multi-sector adaptability.
Dual-Use Applications: Beyond the Battlefield
Although defense remains the core focus, Raphe’s drones are making a difference in civilian spaces too:
- Disaster Relief: Delivering aid in floods and earthquakes.
- Medical Missions: Airlifting patients and medical supplies.
- Rural Healthcare: Transporting vaccines and equipment.
- Agriculture: Aerial mapping and crop monitoring.
- Mining & Infra: Surveillance and land assessments.
- Coastal Security: Port safety and vessel tracking.
These efforts are driven by Raphe’s Caresoul initiative, where cutting-edge drone tech is deployed for humanitarian missions and public safety.
Financial Performance & Scaling Ambition
Raphe’s revenue jumped 11× from FY21 to FY24, reaching ₹86.12 Cr. The company turned profitable in FY22 and delivered ₹8.95 Cr profit in FY24, showing strong fundamentals and financial discipline.
India’s Largest Private Aerospace Raise
In June 2025, Raphe raised $100Mn (859 Cr) in Series B funding, led by General Catalyst, with participation from Think Investments, Evolvence, and Indian family offices.
Key Insights:
Raphe Mphibr’s Seed round was backed by early believers like Amal Niranjan Parikh, Srikanta Damani, and Anshul Damani, laying its deep-tech foundation. In the Pre-Series A, Think Investments came onboard, reinforcing investor confidence.
In the Series A round, both new and previous investors came on board, including Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Think Investments, and Amal Niranjan Parikh, showing strong belief in Raphe’s plan to build drones for both defense and civilian use. Later, in the Rights round, Dovetails India Fund – Class 2 also joined in, further boosting interest from institutional investors.
By 2025, the Funding round included Sachit Passi, Navjot Gill, and the Mishra brothers, showcasing strong insider reinvestment as Raphe gears up for export expansion. In total, Raphe has raised ₹1303.30 Cr, making it the highest-funded private drone startup in India.
Competitive Landscape: How Raphe Stacks Up
| Company | Focus Area | Core Strengths | Technology Differentiators | Govt/Military Clients | Key Challenges |
| Raphe Mphibr | Defense, Logistics, Humanitarian | Full-stack in-house tech, swarm AI, engines, carbon composite airframes | Internal combustion UAV engines, swarm AI, edge AI, anti-jamming, carbon-Kevlar builds | Army, Navy, Special Forces, iDEX | Scaling exports, deepening sensor localization |
| ideaForge | Surveillance & ISR (Defense/Police) | First-mover in military drones, ISR reliability, IPO-ready | Electric UAVs, autonomous ISR drones, rugged design, proprietary GCS | Indian Army, CRPF, BSF, NSG | Diversification beyond ISR; international competition |
| Garuda Aerospace | Civilian, Agriculture, Dual-Use | High-volume commercial ops, largest fleet | Multirotor drones, payload-agnostic platforms, SaaS tools | State governments, NDRF, private sector | Tech depth in defense-grade applications |
| Asteria Aerospace (Jio-backed) | ISR & Security (Defense/Private) | Precision mapping, surveillance, and real-time analytics | Embedded AI, ISR-grade drones, seamless cloud integration | Police forces, CISF, and industrial clients | Limited platform diversity; defense penetration |
| NewSpace Research | Loitering Munitions, Swarms | Advanced R&D, DRDO collabs, autonomy | Swarm-based offensive drone systems, loitering tech | DRDO, Army projects via BEL | Manufacturing scale-up, private customer base |
| Tata Advanced Systems | Large-Scale Defense Systems | Scale, integration with global OEMs, and industrial capability | Strategic UAVs, MALE-class drones via partnerships | MoD, DRDO, ISRO | Innovation agility, limited startup speed |
Raphe’s Strategic Edge vs India’s Drone Leaders
So, what sets Raphe Mphibr apart in India’s buzzing drone landscape?
It’s the company’s ability to do it all in-house. From engines and avionics to AI flight systems, every critical component is designed and built right here in India, with zero Chinese dependency. Add to that combat-tested platforms and a profitable track record, and you’ve got a deep-tech defense player built for both warfare and humanitarian missions.
But let’s not ignore the rest of the field:
ideaForge leads in public visibility and ISR dominance post-IPO.
Garuda Aerospace owns the agri-commercial skies with its massive fleet and civilian reach.
Asteria, backed by Reliance, brings cloud-integrated ISR to the fore.
NewSpace Research pushes the envelope with loitering munitions and swarm warfare via DRDO ties.
Tata Advanced Systems rules the scale game with MALE-class UAVs and strategic defense partnerships.
In short, Raphe leads with sovereignty and battlefield credibility, while each competitor owns a piece of the drone future.
What’s Next for Raphe Mphibr
Exports to Southeast Asia & MENA
With export licenses secured, Raphe plans to supply combat and logistics drones to friendly nations in Southeast Asia and the Middle East, tapping into rising demand for indigenous alternatives.
Loitering Munitions & Armed Drones
The company is developing next-gen armed UAVs and loitering munition systems, enhancing India’s offensive drone warfare capabilities for high-precision tactical missions.
Radar, EO Sensor Localization
Raphe is investing in the domestic development of critical components like electro-optical payloads and miniaturized radars to reduce import dependence and improve performance integration.
AI-Based EW Resilience
Advanced electronic warfare resilience systems, powered by AI, are being built to safeguard Raphe’s drones against GPS spoofing, jamming, and hostile signal disruption.
R&D Alliances with DRDO & Academia
Raphe is forging long-term R&D partnerships with DRDO and premier institutes (IITs, IISc) to co-develop frontier technologies in swarm autonomy, UAV propulsion, and sensor fusion.
IPO by 2027
Raphe aims to go public within the next two years, positioning itself as India’s first listed full-stack drone defense company and unlocking wider investor participation.
Final Thoughts: A National Champion in the Making
Raphe Mphibr isn’t chasing headlines. It is building the foundation for India’s drone self-reliance, from war zones to villages. With an all-Indian supply chain, combat-tested products, and a profitable track record, Raphe is more than a startup. It’s a national asset.
As per insights from PrivateCircle, Raphe’s momentum places it at the center of India’s strategic technology race. In a future shaped by drones, Raphe is already flying point.