IIT Kanpur-incubated dronetech startup EndureAir Systems has received ₹30 Cr (about $3.1 Mn) in grant support under the Centre’s RDIF scheme to develop its SABAL-200 kg heavy-payload drone and take the project closer to commercial deployment.
EndureAir is part of the first cohort of five startups selected to receive grant disbursements under the Centre’s ₹1 Lakh Cr RDI scheme.
The first batch includes Dhruva Space, EndureAir Systems, e-TRNL Energy, Noccarc Robotics and IISTEM Research.
EndureAir said it will use the fresh capital for R&D, technology upgrades, manufacturing expansion and strengthening its field-testing infrastructure as it looks to scale indigenous high-payload drone systems in India.
SABAL-200 kg is a Vertical Take-Off and Landing (VTOL) unmanned aerial system (UAS) designed to carry payloads of up to 200 kg. The platform offers an endurance of 2.5 hours and an operational range of 200 km.
Founded in 2018 by IIT Kanpur aerospace engineering professor Abhishek, along with his former students Rama Krishna and Chirag Jain, EndureAir Systems develops drones for defence, surveillance, disaster management and logistics use cases.
The startup designs and manufactures its drone platforms in-house with a focus on systems suited for Indian operating conditions. It said the latest development is expected to support import substitution and create jobs across Tier II & III cities as it scales manufacturing.
Its UAV platforms, including SABAL-20 and SABAL-40, have already been deployed across defence and civilian applications, particularly in high-altitude and difficult terrains.
The new SABAL-200 kg platform builds on this foundation to support aerial logistics and transportation in hard-to-access regions.
Since inception, EndureAir has raised about $7 Mn, including ₹25 Cr from IAN Alpha Fund and IAN Angel Fund in 2025.
Launched in July 2025 by the Department of Science & Technology (DST), the RDI scheme focuses on sectors such as deeptech, AI, robotics, spacetech, biotech, climate tech and the digital economy, while supporting India’s push for technological self-reliance under the Atmanirbhar Bharat mission.
Last week, Dhruva Space secured ₹105 Cr in grant support under the RDIF scheme for ‘Project Garud’, a next-generation 500 kg-class satellite platform aimed at enabling large-scale constellation deployments.
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