Raphe mPhibr raises Rs. 855 crore (US$ 100 million) in landmark defence drone funding round

In a significant boost to India’s indigenous defence technology sector, drone manufacturer Raphe mPhibr has secured Rs. 855 crore (US$ 100 million) in fresh funding, marking the largest private capital raise in the country’s drone industry to date, according to The Times of India. The funding round was led by General Catalyst, with participation from Think Investments, Mr. Amal Parikh, and several family offices, taking the company’s total capital raised to Rs. 1,240 crore (US$ 145 million). Raphe mPhibr’s drones were recently deployed in Operation Sindoor in May 2025, underlining their strategic utility.
The company plans to utilise the funds to expand its end-to-end aircraft design, engineering, and production capabilities. The goal is to scale its facilities in response to India’s increasing demand for homegrown aerospace technologies. In a statement, the company noted that this funding reflects a deeper commitment to building within India, aligning with the Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India missions. Founded in 2016 by aerospace technologists Raphe Chairman, Mr. Vikash Mishra and CEO at Raphe Mr. Vivek Mishra, Raphe mPhibr manufactures a wide range of defence-grade unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), including the mR10 drone swarm platform, mR20 high-altitude logistics drone, Bharat Drone for man-portable surveillance, and the X8 for maritime reconnaissance. Operating a full-scale aerospace campus with over 600 employees, the company has developed more than 100 proprietary technologies and logged over one million kilometres (km) of flight. Its advanced facilities include departments for metal processing, composite materials, engine development, and military-grade electronics, ensuring robust performance across diverse terrains from deserts to high-altitude and marine environments.

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