Chennai | June 22, 2025 — Former Indian cricket captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni has significantly increased his investment in Garuda Aerospace, one of India’s fastest-growing drone technology companies. According to reliable sources, Dhoni’s total stake in the Chennai-based start-up now exceeds ₹4 crore.
The legendary cricketer, who also captains the Chennai Super Kings in the Indian Premier League (IPL), first invested in Garuda Aerospace back in 2022. At the time, he also became the company’s official brand ambassador, lending strong credibility to its ambitious vision.
A Strategic Move in India’s Booming Drone Industry
While Dhoni’s exact stake remains undisclosed due to confidentiality agreements, the increased investment highlights his strong belief in India’s growing drone sector, especially in agricultural technology (agri-drones) and defense manufacturing.
Garuda Aerospace, known for pioneering innovation in drone manufacturing, has seen rapid growth in recent years. In FY24, the company reported revenues of ₹109 crore, with healthy profitability and an EBITDA margin of 22.5%—a sharp rise from ₹47 crore in FY23.
Expanding Footprint and Market Leadership
The company has already sold over 2,500 drones, including 1,500+ in just the last 12 months. With an order book exceeding ₹150 crore, Garuda is expected to close FY25 with projected revenues between ₹200-220 crore.
Operating three drone manufacturing facilities in Chennai, Prayagraj, and Mysore, the company has the capacity to produce 50–60 drones daily and currently employs over 170 professionals. Garuda controls around 35–40% of the agri-drone market, solidifying its position as an industry leader.
Vision for the Future: Defense Drones, Drone Cities & Global Ties
The future looks even more promising. Garuda Aerospace is set to enter defense drone production in a major way. It has already established strategic alliances with top international defense companies such as Thales, Lockheed Martin, and Elbit Systems, along with Indian public sector units like HAL, BEML, and TIDCO.
Additionally, the company plans to launch drone cities and drone hubs and develop an aggregator model for agri-drones in collaboration with a global partner—paving the way for a more structured and scalable drone ecosystem in India.
India’s Agri-Drone Market Poised for Massive Growth
With supportive policies from the Indian government and rising demand for precision farming technologies, India’s agri-drone industry is valued at ₹500–600 crore and could potentially grow into a ₹25,000 crore market in the coming years.
