Dhaksha Unmanned Systems Pvt Ltd

Dhaksha Unmanned Systems is a Chennai-based UAV OEM incorporated in 2019, manufacturing hybrid petrol-engine and battery-electric drones for defence, agriculture and enterprise. It won the Indian Air

drones-uasindia-oemOperationalTier A
Country: IN

Last verified:

At a Glance

Headquarters
Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
Type
Manufacturer (listed)
Founded
2019
India entity
null
Listed
Private (not listed)
Key India role
Dhaksha Unmanned Systems is a Chennai-based UAV OEM incorporated in 2019, manufacturing hybrid petrol-engine and battery-electric drones for defence, agriculture and enterprise. It won the Indian Air
indicators
[]
key specs
[]

What It Is

Dhaksha Unmanned Systems is a Chennai-based UAV OEM incorporated in 2019, manufacturing hybrid petrol-engine and battery-electric drones for defence, agriculture and enterprise. It won the Indian Air Force's Mehar Baba Swarm Drone Competition (2021), secured a 200-unit logistics drone order from the Indian Army (later put on hold over Chinese-parts concerns in 2024), and a 400-unit agricultural drone order from IFFCO. Dhaksha was among the first Indian companies to receive DGCA type certification for an IC-engine agriculture drone (AgriGator, Oct 2022). The company is a strategic partner to MIT-Anna University.

Sources: [1][2][3][4][5]

Deployments & Procurement

4 documented India deployment(s)/procurement(s).

AgencyContextYearQuantity / NoteSources
Indian ArmyOrder for 200 medium-altitude logistics drones and accessories; later put on hold (Aug 2024) over Chinese-parts concerns2024200 (order; on hold)[1][2][3]
IFFCO (Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative)Order for 400 agricultural drones; deliveries of Kisan drones commenced2022-2024400[1][2][3]
Indian Air Force (Mehar Baba Swarm Drone Competition)Dhaksha won the 2021 Mehar Baba Swarm Drone Competition, outperforming 154 competitors2021n/a (competition winner)[1][2][3]
DGCA (civil certification)DGCA Type Certification for petrol-operated AgriGator drone2022n/a (certification)[1][2][3]

Import Dependencies

Not analysed in this dossier.

Intelligence Assessment

Methodology: /research/methodology/

India footprint
Documented/5

10 sources with India-specific evidence.

Sources: [1][2][3][4]

Indigenous content
Not disclosed/5

Indigenous percentage not publicly verified.

Sources: [1][2][3]

Operational status
Operational/5

Based on latest public sources as of 2026-08-30.

Sources: [1][2][3]

Source quality
High/5

4 official, 6 credible sources.

Sources: [1][2][3]

FAQ

What major Indian Army order did Dhaksha Unmanned Systems receive and what was its status?

Dhaksha received a ₹165 crore Indian Army order for 200 medium-altitude logistics drones and accessories. In August 2024, the Indian Army put the purchase on hold over concerns about Chinese components in the drones.

Sources: [1][2][3]

Which DGCA type-certified agriculture drone does Dhaksha manufacture?

Dhaksha's AgriGator (DH-AG-H1) is India's only medium-category IC-engine agriculture drone and was DGCA Type Certified in October 2022. It features a 12-litre spray tank.

Sources: [1][2][3]

What is Dhaksha's connection to the IAF Mehar Baba Swarm Drone Competition?

Dhaksha won the 2021 Indian Air Force Mehar Baba Swarm Drone Competition, outperforming 154 competitors. The competition was launched by the IAF in October 2018 to stimulate swarm drone development.

Sources: [1][2][3]

Sources

  1. src-01Official
    https://dhakshadrones.com/about-us
    Dhaksha Unmanned Systems (company official)·accessed 2026-08-30

    Confirms Dhaksha incorporated 2019, Chennai HQ; DGCA-approved training institute; winner of Mehar Baba Swarm Drone Competition

  2. src-02Official
    https://dhakshadrones.com/cil-dhaksha-unmanned-systems-bags-rs-165-crores-for-defence-and-agri-drones/6912
    Dhaksha Unmanned Systems (company official)·accessed 2026-08-30

    Dhaksha bags ₹165 Cr order for 200 logistics drones + accessories for Indian Army

  3. src-03Credible
    https://www.indiasentinels.com/defence-industry/indian-army-puts-on-hold-purchase-of-200-logistics-drones-from-dhaksha-unmanned-systems-over-china-parts-concerns-6472
    Indian Sentinels·2024-08-30·accessed 2026-08-30

    Indian Army puts 200-drone logistics purchase from Dhaksha on hold over Chinese parts concerns (Aug 2024)

  4. src-04Credible
    https://www.industrialautomationindia.in/directory/dhaksha-unmanned-systems
    Industrial Automation India·accessed 2026-08-30

    Confirms 400 agri drone IFFCO order + 200 logistics drone Indian Army order; Mehar Baba winner

  5. src-05Credible
    https://inc42.com/buzz/drones-of-reliance-adani-backed-startups-get-type-certification-from-dgca
    Inc42·2022-10-06·accessed 2026-08-30

    Dhaksha's AgriGator (12-litre, petrol-engine) Type Certified by DGCA (Oct 2022)

  6. src-06Credible
    https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/dakshas-petrol-operated-drones-get-dgca-approval/articleshow/94710510.cms
    Times of India·2022-10-07·accessed 2026-08-30

    Confirms DGCA approval for Dhaksha's petrol-operated agri drone

  7. src-07Credible
    https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bengaluru/bluru-firm-2-others-win-iaf-swarm-drone-challenge/articleshow/87245855.cms
    Times of India·2021-10-25·accessed 2026-08-30

    Confirms Dhaksha as one of three winners of IAF's Mehar Baba Swarm Drone Challenge

  8. src-08Official
    https://dhakshadrones.com/dhaksha-unmanned-systems-delivers-kisan-drones-to-iffco
    Dhaksha Unmanned Systems (company official)·accessed 2026-08-30

    Confirms delivery of DH-Agrigator-E10 Plus Kisan drones to IFFCO

  9. src-09Credible
    https://www.3ds.com/insights/customer-stories/dhaksha-agricultural-drones
    Dassault Systèmes (3DS) Customer Story·accessed 2026-08-30

    Notes Dhaksha was among first/only drone manufacturer to achieve DGCA Type Certification at time of publication

  10. src-10Official
    https://www.linkedin.com/posts/dhakshadrones_team-dhaksha-is-elated-to-share-yet-another-activity-7037423469151604737-jtTc
    Dhaksha Unmanned Systems (company official, via LinkedIn)·accessed 2026-08-30

    DH-Q4 Type Certified 'Small' category drone for mapping & surveillance

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