India’s defence sector is undergoing a profound transformation. Traditionally one of the world’s largest arms importers, India is now witnessing a surge of private players building indigenous military technologies aligned with the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat. Among the most compelling examples of this shift is Sanlayan Technologies, a Bengaluru-based defence electronics startup that’s rising fast to become a strategic force in India’s homegrown military-tech landscape.
In just over a year since its founding, Sanlayan has developed a strong portfolio across avionics, radar systems, and electronic warfare – areas historically dependent on imports. Its growth story is driven by a founding team of ex-Zetwerk executives and backed by marquee investors like Jungle Ventures and Ashish Kacholia.
Let’s take a deep dive into how Sanlayan is shaping India’s future in strategic defence electronics.
🛡️ What Does Sanlayan Do?
Sanlayan’s mission is clear: to develop mission-critical defence electronics indigenously for India’s armed forces. Its current focus areas include:
- Radar and RF systems
- Aerospace and defence-grade simulators
- High-speed avionics for military aircraft
- Software Defined Radios (SDRs)
- FPGA-based test equipment for defence labs
- Signal processing and environmental testing systems
These are not just buzzwords. Each of these systems plays a vital role in ensuring battlefield readiness, secure communications, and technological superiority for the Indian military.
Sanlayan’s approach is unique—it blends deep technical expertise with startup agility, allowing it to build sophisticated systems quickly while remaining cost-competitive.
👨💼 Founders with Firepower: Meet the Leadership
Sanlayan was co-founded by three professionals with rare crossover expertise in defence manufacturing and startup execution:
Abhijit Suresh Kothawale – Co-founder & COO
A veteran with 19+ years in aerospace and defence, Abhijit has held leadership roles at L&T, Mahindra, and Tata Advanced Systems. Prior to Sanlayan, he led the Aerospace & Defence division at Zetwerk, a major player in Indian manufacturing. Abhijit brings deep domain understanding and operations expertise that are critical for executing large-scale defence contracts.
Rohan Mukesh Gala – Co-founder & CEO
An alumnus of IIM Calcutta, Rohan has held key roles at ITC Ltd., Ola Foods, and Zetwerk, where he scaled the Consumer Electronics division. His blend of strategic vision and operational finesse makes him ideal for leading Sanlayan’s growth, investor relations, and business partnerships.
Vamsidhar Rahul – Co-founder & CBO
An IIT Delhi graduate and former head of Corporate Development at Zetwerk, Rahul has a strong background in M&A, strategic partnerships, and market expansion. He was instrumental in the acquisition of Dexcel, a defence R&D firm, which gave Sanlayan instant depth in radar and avionics capabilities.
Together, this trio brings an unbeatable combination of experience in heavy engineering, tech startups, and defence contracts, making Sanlayan uniquely positioned to execute at scale and speed.
⚙️ Building Cutting-Edge Technologies: Radar, Avionics & EW Systems
At the core of Sanlayan’s product strategy is the development of sophisticated electronics across several verticals:
✈️ Avionics
From flight control systems to onboard communications, Sanlayan is building rugged electronics for both UAVs and fighter jets. These solutions are tailored to meet the stringent requirements of modern military aviation.
📡 Radar Systems
Sanlayan is developing an Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar for India’s unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs) – a major technological feat. The company has also collaborated with five Indian startups and multiple international OEMs to create next-gen radar capabilities.
🛡️ Electronic Warfare (EW) and Counter-UAS
As drone threats rise, Sanlayan is developing indigenous electronic warfare systems capable of detecting and neutralizing rogue drones. This includes jamming systems and signal disruptors—critical tools for modern defence.
Its product lines extend to naval systems, satellite communication, and integrated solutions for all terrains—land, sea, air, and space—ensuring Sanlayan plays across the full defence electronics spectrum.
💸 The Funding Boost: ₹186 Cr Series A and More
In June 2025, Sanlayan raised a massive ₹186 crore (~$22 Mn) in Series A funding led by:
- Ashish Kacholia
- Lashit Sanghvi (Alchemy Capital)
- Shastra VC
- Existing investors like Jungle Ventures, Gemba Capital and Singularity Ventures
This came just a year after its ₹36.26 Cr seed round, bringing total funding to ₹200 Cr. The latest round valued the company at ₹500 Cr.
🧠 What the funds will be used for:
- Hiring 5× engineers and defence experts, including ex-military scientists
- Accelerating R&D, especially in radar and counter-drone tech
- Acquisitions of defence MSMEs, as part of an inorganic growth strategy
- Developing high-priority technologies in-house, even before contracts arrive
As Jungle Ventures’ Rishab Malik noted, Sanlayan’s “operating discipline and revenue traction” make it one of the most promising defence-tech bets in India today.
📊 Sanlayan’s Funding Journey
| Date | Round | Amount Raised (₹ Cr) | Post-Money Valuation (₹ Cr) | Key Investors |
| Mar 2024 | Seed | ₹36.26 Cr | ₹120 Cr | Jungle Ventures, Gemba, Singularity |
| Jun 2025 | Series A | ₹190 Cr | ₹500 Cr | Jungle, Shastra VC, Kacholia, Sanghvi |
👉 Jungle Ventures alone holds ~80% of the preference shares.
In A Strategic Fit for #AtmanirbharBharat
Sanlayan’s goals are aligned with India’s push for self-reliance in defence manufacturing. With imports making up over 60% of India’s military equipment historically, homegrown startups like Sanlayan are essential for national security and economic resilience.
The Dexcel acquisition has allowed Sanlayan to become vertically integrated—from R&D to production—making it a credible partner to India’s armed forces.
Its work in radar and EW also feeds into programs like iDEX (Innovations for Defence Excellence), helping rejuvenate India’s 1,000+ defence-tech startups and MSMEs.
🌐 Part of India’s Rising Defence-Tech Ecosystem
Sanlayan is part of a broader trend of private players entering core defence R&D:
- NewSpace Research & Tech – Drones & swarm tech for the Indian Air Force
- Optimized Electrotech – Border surveillance and imaging systems
- Tonbo Imaging – Night vision & thermal imaging devices
- Big Bang Boom – Drone defences and smart soldier systems
Together, these startups are replacing foreign suppliers in high-tech, high-value defence systems.
🔭 What’s Next?
Sanlayan’s roadmap for the next 12–18 months includes:
- Prototyping UUV AESA radar systems
- Field-testing counter-drone jammers
- Expanding Dexcel’s offerings to defence PSUs
- Partnering with global OEMs for tech transfer or joint ventures
- Exploring export markets in South East Asia and the Middle East
According to CEO Rohan Gala, the company is now “gearing up for large-scale indigenisation and system upgrades” — hinting at potential contracts involving fighter retrofits and naval radar suites.
🏁 Conclusion: A New Chapter for India’s Defence-Tech
Sanlayan Technologies represents the next generation of Indian defence startups—bold, technical, and rooted in national purpose.
In just two years, it has built a strong foundation in strategic electronics, secured investor trust, and aligned itself with India’s biggest geopolitical goals. It’s now poised to become a prime contractor, systems integrator, and maybe even an exporter of Indian-built military electronics.
For investors, defence analysts, and public sector leaders, Sanlayan’s trajectory offers a masterclass in how deep-tech startups can scale responsibly in sensitive sectors—without compromising on innovation or patriotism.
Financial and company data referenced in this report has been sourced from PrivateCircle.