BITS Pilani Students Innovate Kamikaze Drones for Indian Army Deployment
In a remarkable development combining youthful ingenuity with national defense needs, two 20-year-old engineering students from BITS Pilani Hyderabad have achieved a significant milestone. They have successfully created high-speed kamikaze drones in their hostel room, which are now being acquired by the Indian Army.
Mechanical engineering student Jayant Khatri from Ajmer and electrical engineering student Sourya Choudhury from Kolkata co-founded the defense technology startup Apollyon Dynamics just two months ago. Their homemade drones have since been deployed by the Army at bases in Jammu, Chandimandir in Haryana, Panagarh in West Bengal, and Arunachal Pradesh.
These kamikaze drones can reach speeds exceeding 300 kilometers per hour—nearly five times faster than standard commercial drones—and are capable of carrying payloads of up to 1 kilogram with precision. They are designed to evade radar and adapt to the diverse Indian terrain, and are assembled using readily available components.
The breakthrough for the startup occurred when Khatri began sending unsolicited emails to defense officials. A reply from a colonel led to a successful live demonstration in Chandigarh, which piqued the interest of Army authorities and resulted in immediate orders.
Choudhury highlighted the drones' stealth capabilities as a significant advantage, stating, “Our drones are not just fast. They’re designed to evade radar and strike with precision.”
Initially starting as a student robotics club, Apollyon Dynamics has rapidly evolved into a comprehensive defense-tech company. The team now includes six second-year students who are developing next-generation vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) and fixed-wing UAVs to enhance operational flexibility.
The startup is also engaged in training Army personnel on drone operation, including individuals with no prior experience. The systems are built for quick deployment and ease of use, even in demanding conditions.
Professor Sanket Goel of BITS Pilani commended the achievement as a prime example of applied innovation, stating, “They’ve translated classroom knowledge into real-world impact. It’s inspiring.” The startup recently presented their work to BITS Chancellor and Aditya Birla Group Chairman Kumar Mangalam Birla.
Apollyon Dynamics aims to expand its UAV range to support extended missions, tactical payload delivery, and AI-assisted navigation. With the Indian Army already showing interest, their journey from a hostel room to military implementation signifies a significant shift in India's defense innovation sector.
In contrast to the character Joy Lobo in the film "3 Idiots," whose drone never saw flight, these young engineers received support, belief, and a mission. Their success story demonstrates that in modern India, frontline technology can indeed emerge from a student's desk.
