HYDERABAD: A defence technology startup incubated at the BITS Pilani Hyderabad campus has recorded a speed of 498 kmph with its Aahuti MK-2 multirotor interceptor drone. Developed by Apollian Dynamics, the system has entered the India Book of Records. The achievement highlights the growing role of Hyderabad’s academic and startup ecosystem in developing indigenous unmanned systems for defence applications.
The Aahuti MK-2 represents a significant increase over the company’s earlier platform. Its previous Aahuti drone reached around 300 kmph in 2025. The new system has increased the reported top speed substantially within a year, reflecting the pace of development in high-performance unmanned technology. Apollian Dynamics was established in 2025 and is incubated at the BITS Pilani Hyderabad campus. The startup is developing unmanned systems aimed at the requirements of the Indian armed forces and has already supplied some systems to the Indian Army. The Aahuti MK-2 has been developed as an interceptor platform for low-cost hostile drones and loitering munitions. The emergence of relatively inexpensive unmanned systems in modern conflicts has increased the need for cost-effective counter-drone capabilities. The reported speed of 498 kmph is significant because interception depends partly on the ability of a defensive system to respond quickly to an incoming aerial threat. However, speed is only one component of an effective interceptor. Detection, tracking, guidance, reliability and integration with wider defence systems are also important for operational effectiveness.
The development also illustrates how India’s defence technology ecosystem is increasingly involving startups and academic institutions. Incubation programmes can give young companies access to research environments, technical talent and infrastructure while allowing them to develop specialised technologies. BITS Pilani’s Hyderabad campus provides an academic base within one of the city’s expanding technology ecosystems. Hyderabad already has a strong presence in aerospace, defence and advanced engineering, creating opportunities for startups working on unmanned systems and related technologies. The team behind Aahuti MK-2 includes founders Jayant Khatri and Saurya Choudhary, along with Aman Virani, Manas Vichare and Ishan Suri. Drone pilot Aman Virani was closely involved in flight testing and development. The record also points to the importance of specialised engineering capabilities in emerging defence technologies. Developing high-speed unmanned platforms requires work across propulsion, aerodynamics, flight control, electronics and testing.
For Hyderabad, such developments add another dimension to the city’s growing innovation economy. Startups working from local academic and technology institutions can contribute to national technology goals while creating specialised engineering capabilities within the region. The broader challenge will be moving successful prototypes and record-setting demonstrations towards reliable, scalable systems. Defence adoption requires rigorous testing, operational validation and the ability to manufacture systems consistently. The Aahuti MK-2 achievement therefore represents both a technical milestone and a broader signal of India’s growing private-sector participation in defence technology. Hyderabad’s combination of academic institutions, engineering talent and defence-related industry could support further development in this emerging sector.
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Hyderabad Startup Sets 498 Kmph Drone Speed Record
