Drones have rapidly become one of the most influential technologies in global conflict zones, from the Middle East tensions involving Iran, Israel, and the United States, to the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine. These unmanned systems have proved indispensable for surveillance, precision strikes, maritime monitoring, and real-time intelligence. India, too, relies heavily on drone technology along its borders with Pakistan and China for surveillance and counter-intrusion operations. As drone usage expands across defence and commercial sectors, innovation in unmanned systems is accelerating globally.
AquaAirX Amphibious Drone Innovation Transforms Bengaluru Tech Landscape
In Bengaluru, a new startup named AquaAirX is breaking technological barriers by developing one of India’s first amphibious drones capable of operating both in air and underwater. Founded by aeronautical engineering classmates Gouthami (CEO) and Jitendra Kumar Purnmal Saini (CTO) from Nitte Meenakshi Institute of Technology, the company has created Avataar—a drone that can fly, dive into water, operate underwater, and re-emerge for aerial missions. Designed to carry payloads up to 10 kg, the platform can be launched from the air, transition seamlessly underwater, and resurface to continue operations. The startup has completed pool and platform trials, with advanced aerial and open-water testing currently underway.
The idea originated during their engineering projects involving UAVs and DRDO-related competitions. The founders identified a major technological gap: aerial drones cannot operate underwater, while underwater drones require expensive ships and complex logistics. Their hybrid platform eliminates these limitations, reducing deployment costs and enabling rapid launch without large vessels. According to the founders, amphibious drones could transform maritime warfare by allowing missions where a drone flies to a target zone, dives underwater to avoid detection, performs surveillance, and resurfaces—all within a single operation. Avataar is being built with a target range of 175 nautical miles and a five-hour endurance, supporting modular payloads such as ISR sensors, sonar, and acoustic systems.
AquaAirX Advances Defence and Commercial Amphibious Drone Applications
AquaAirX has been selected under the Ministry of Defence’s Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) initiative, with active interest from the Indian Navy, which is monitoring its progress. Beyond defence, the company sees strong commercial applications in aquaculture monitoring and offshore infrastructure inspections, potentially reducing inspection costs by up to 70%. Backed by investors including Rainmatter, Wyser, India Accelerator, and Prime Venture Partners, AquaAirX aims to deploy a fully operational amphibious drone within the year.
Summary:
Drones now shape global conflicts from Iran to Ukraine, driving rapid innovation. Bengaluru startup AquaAirX has developed Avataar, an amphibious drone for air-and-water missions. Selected under Innovations for Defence Excellence, it has defence and commercial uses, attracting investors as it moves toward full deployment.
