Indian drone startup Raphe mPhibr has successfully secured $100 million through an all-equity Series B investment round led by General Catalyst. This major funding drive seeks to enhance the company’s research and development efforts and scale up its local manufacturing capabilities, in response to a rapidly increasing global demand for military and surveillance drones.
Drones have seen a significant rise in adoption worldwide, particularly within military operations and border monitoring activities. Recent conflicts, including the India-Pakistan war, highlighted the strategic value of drones, with both countries deploying UAVs extensively, despite already possessing advanced fighter jets and missile systems. This trend has prompted the Indian government to triple its investment in drone technology to $470 million over the coming year, reflecting a substantial commitment toward strengthening indigenous capabilities in unmanned aviation systems.
Against this backdrop, Raphe mPhibr seeks to position itself as a leading provider of domestically manufactured military UAVs in India, challenging the current global dominance of China in drone production. Founded in 2017 by brothers Vikash Mishra, who serves as chairman, and Vivek Mishra, the company’s CEO, Raphe mPhibr started with a modest 2,000-square-foot research facility. Today, following rapid growth and strategic expansion, the company operates a 650,000-square-foot advanced combined research and manufacturing complex.
Raphe mPhibr currently offers nine distinct drone models, ranging dramatically in payload capacity from about 4.4 pounds to 441 pounds and capable of flying between 12 and 124 miles in operational range. Notable examples include the mR10 drone swarm system, the mR20 designed specifically for high-altitude logistical support missions, the compact X8 maritime UAV tailored for ocean patrol and situational awareness, and the Bharat lightweight drone intended for quick deployment and agile surveillance within complicated terrains.
The Indian government remains Raphe mPhibr’s core client, with key customers comprising various national defense agencies including the Indian Army, Air Force, Navy, along with paramilitary units such as the Central Reserve Police Force, Border Security Force, and Indo-Tibetan Border Police.
The Mishra brothers originally conceived the startup while studying abroad—Vikash at MIT and Vivek at Georgia Tech—in 2016. Their initial years were devoted to deeply understanding the specific operational, environmental, and geographic requirements of India’s defense sector. Eventually, they began developing multicopters tailored to military needs, subsequently expanding into sophisticated fixed-wing aircraft and vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) drones.
CEO Vivek Mishra highlighted the startup’s distinctive approach to innovation, stating that Raphe mPhibr deliberately chose to avoid technological transfers from other entities. Instead, it has fully committed to indigenous design and manufacturing. The company domestically produces various critical drone components—including flight controllers, structural materials like thermoplastics and carbon fiber composites, batteries, wire harnesses, and proprietary navigation systems. Although the startup currently imports advanced radar systems and camera equipment, it plans to manufacture these critical components entirely in-house within the next 18 months.
Raphe mPhibr also consciously avoids reliance on Chinese components, thus circumventing supply chain uncertainties. According to Vivek, establishing these advanced domestic capabilities presented significant challenges, especially as setting up research facilities in India posed greater logistical hurdles and costs compared to the U.S. To overcome these issues, the company invested heavily in employee training and skill development from its earliest days.
Artificial intelligence also plays a critical role in the functionality and strategic value of Raphe mPhibr’s drones. UAV units incorporate AI for object identification during surveillance operations, automatically shifting frequency bands under electronic warfare scenarios and utilizing AI-driven swarm intelligence to enable decentralized operational decisions.
Recently, Raphe mPhibr entered into strategic partnerships with international firms, including Germany’s Hensoldt and France’s Safran, to co-develop advanced sensor technologies. It has also collaborated with France’s Dassault Systèmes for drone platform simulations. The startup intends to expand aggressively into global markets and has participated in major international defense air shows in Paris and Dubai. Vivek revealed that the company currently holds several export licenses and is in advanced negotiations with multiple foreign government agencies, expecting to initiate international deliveries soon.
Raphe mPhibr, employing around 600 people—with over 150 dedicated solely to research and more than 250 involved in drone production—reported roughly a four-fold revenue increase over the past four years. According to Vivek, the firm has maintained profitability over this period and is aiming for a public offering within two to five years. To date, the startup has accumulated an impressive $145 million in total equity funding.
