Raghava Aerospace Opens Defence Facility in Kokapet

Former Chairman of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) G. Satheesh Reddy inaugurated a new manufacturing facility of Raghava Aerospace & Defence (RADPL) in Kokapet, Hyderabad, highlighting India's transition from an equipment importer to an exporter.

Speaking at the inauguration, Reddy noted that the country's defence manufacturing ecosystem has matured significantly. He stated that development-cum-production partners across India are actively manufacturing missiles, bombs, and guns, with 40 percent of these partners coming from the private sector. The Central government has earmarked ₹1.39 lakh crore of the defence budget for indigenous manufacturing under the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative to bolster domestic capability.

Pointing to the growing international footprint of Indian defence production, Reddy cited Armenia's Republic Day parade, which showcased three Indian weapon systems. According to a company release issued on Wednesday, he urged RADPL to focus on global exports alongside meeting domestic defence requirements.

RADPL operates across three primary verticals: research and development, electronics system design and manufacturing, and composite structures. The company's Hyderabad infrastructure features a Class 100,000 clean room dedicated to microwave assembly, radio frequency (RF) and microwave testing infrastructure capable of handling up to 40 GHz, electrostatic discharge (ESD)-controlled assembly and integration laboratories, and a full composite manufacturing line.

To build its capabilities, RADPL has integrated five acquired entities into a unified design, qualification, and production platform. These acquisitions include DTS for electronic warfare and wideband RF, HQPPL for missile-borne RF systems and telemetry, Signalinx Techsystems for FPGA-based embedded systems and power electronics, Rainbow Advanced Composites for ablative and fibre-reinforced plastic missile components, and Aerospace Advanced Composites for large composite structures and thermal protection.

During the event, the company also announced a joint venture with Peridot Advanced Materials to develop the MALE-300 programme. The project aims to build a fully indigenous Medium-Altitude Long-Endurance (MALE) class intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) unmanned aircraft. The platform is designed to feature a 300 kg modular payload bay, an endurance of 30 hours, an operational altitude of 30,000 feet, and complete Indian ownership of the design intellectual property.

Commenting on the roadmap outlined during the event, RADPL Managing Director Likhith Reddy Ponguleti affirmed that the guidance provided by the former DRDO chief would shape the strategic direction of the enterprise.