When I first connected with the team at Aero360, I didn’t expect to walk away not just impressed, but genuinely inspired. In a country that’s still scripting its drone journey, Aero360 isn’t just part of the story—it’s helping write the chapters ahead.
What started as an ambitious attempt to plug the gaps in India’s drone ecosystem has blossomed into something much larger: a homegrown powerhouse that’s redefining how we view unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). From defense to agriculture, infrastructure to education, Aero360 is crafting a 360-degree approach to drone innovation—true to its name and truer still to its purpose.
A Vision Born from a Gap
“The need was obvious, but no one was building a full solution,” the founder tells me during our conversation. As we chat, it becomes clear that Aero360 wasn’t built to chase hype. It was born out of a deep, clear-eyed understanding that India needed more than just imported drones—it needed an ecosystem.
In its early days, the startup focused on services. But soon, they pivoted, evolved, and doubled down on technology. Today, Aero360 is not only manufacturing its own UAVs but also training India’s next generation of drone pilots, developing AI-based data tools, and aligning with regulatory authorities to stay future-ready.
From Start-up to Sector Leader
Their portfolio is diverse and impressive. Whether it’s micro-drones for surveillance missions or precision tools for crop monitoring and GIS mapping, each offering is tailored, robust, and designed with the Indian context in mind. Unlike many players who operate in silos—building hardware or offering services—Aero360 does it all. And it does so under one roof.
That unique integration is their superpower. “We didn’t want to just build a gadget,” the team emphasizes. “We wanted to solve actual, ground-level problems.”
Staying Ahead of the Curve
As drone regulations in India evolve, Aero360 has stayed nimble and proactive. From embedding digital sky mapping to integrating UTM protocols, the team ensures their platforms are not only compliant today but prepared for tomorrow.
With the Indian government now pushing for drones in everything from infrastructure to precision agriculture, Aero360’s readiness has placed it ahead of the curve. Demand is growing—from railways and mining firms to public safety departments. And Aero360 is ready.
People First: Why Training Matters
But what truly stood out in my conversations wasn’t just the tech—it was the people-centric approach. Aero360 runs a DGCA-certified Remote Pilot Training Organization (RPTO), training young Indians to become not just drone operators, but professionals.
“Drones are useless without skilled people behind them,” one team member told me. It’s this emphasis on education and empowerment that adds depth to Aero360’s mission. The goal? To ensure India doesn’t just buy drones—it builds, operates, and innovates with them.
Scaling with Resilience
Of course, the road to growth hasn’t been easy. India’s diverse geography, infrastructure challenges, and talent gaps can make scaling a drone startup particularly tough. But Aero360 took those challenges head-on—standardizing drone architecture, weatherproofing their platforms, and forging deep ties with academic institutions to source and nurture talent.
Make in India—With Meaning
While many startups borrow the ‘Make in India’ tagline, Aero360 lives it. Their drones are built right here, in collaboration with MSMEs and local partners. From hardware design to AI-driven analytics, it’s all indigenous. And that’s not just patriotic—it’s practical. Reducing import dependence means greater reliability, cost savings, and strategic autonomy.
One standout is their software stack—capable of everything from intrusion detection to real-time agricultural analysis. These aren’t just flying cameras—they’re intelligent, mission-ready systems.
Words of Advice: “Don’t Chase the Cool”
To aspiring dronepreneurs, the team offers simple but powerful advice: “Don’t build tech for the sake of it. Build what’s needed.” Their journey is a reminder that deep domain knowledge, relentless problem-solving, and regulatory alignment are more valuable than buzzwords.
Final Thoughts: More Than a Drone Company
As I wrap up my interview, I’m struck by how Aero360 has woven together so many threads—technology, regulation, people, purpose. They’re not just helping India fly higher with drones; they’re building a flight path that’s sustainable, scalable, and rooted in real-world impact.
Aero360 is a startup, yes—but more than that, it’s a symbol of what India’s innovation ecosystem can look like when vision meets execution. As the country readies itself for an aerial future, Aero360 is already soaring—powered by purpose, precision, and people.
Interview conducted By Priyanka Chatterjee, Associate Editor, Indian startup Times
