Indian Drone Startup Raphe mPhibr, Who Struck Pakistan, Now Raises $100 Million

In what could be a defining moment for India’s defence-tech and aerospace manufacturing ecosystem, Noida-based drone startup Raphe mPhibr has raised a massive $100 million in a Series B funding round. Led by General Catalyst, the round also saw participation from Amal Parekh and Think Investments, taking the startup’s total funding tally to $145 million (₹1,200+ crore).

With this, Raphe mPhibr has emerged as the most highly funded aerospace manufacturing startup in India, signaling growing investor confidence in indigenous, high-tech defence solutions.

The startup first shot to national prominence following its role in Operation Sindoor, a covert Indian retaliation launched after a deadly terror attack in Jammu & Kashmir's Pahalgam that killed 26 tourists. Raphe’s drones were reportedly used to carry out targeted missile strikes across the border — a moment that marked India’s growing reliance on homegrown unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for critical defence operations.

Raphe mPhibr

What sets Raphe mPhibr apart is not just its battlefield performance, but its deep vertical integration and indigenous R&D capabilities. While most drone companies rely on imported parts or licensed technologies, Raphe has taken the more difficult but rewarding route — building practically everything in-house.

When the team needed a specific internal combustion engine for their long-endurance drone, they couldn’t find one that met the technical requirements. Instead of compromising on performance, they built their own — a first for any Indian startup in this space. This engine wasn’t a replication; it was a complete redesign, optimized for lighter weight, better fuel efficiency, and higher performance tailored specifically for military UAVs.

And it doesn’t stop at engines. The company has also invested in developing subsystems like electronics, software, composite structures, and wire harnesses under one roof. This approach gives them more control over quality, customization, and supply chain reliability — a critical edge in defence manufacturing.

Their strategy is simple but ambitious: build advanced systems, designed for India’s needs, manufactured in India, by Indian engineers.

Defence Orders Rising, and So Is Global Attention

The success of Operation Sindoor has sparked unprecedented interest from India's defence sector. The Indian Army recently ordered 450 suicide drones from another player, and Raphe is said to be next in line for multi-crore orders, as the armed forces expand procurement from domestic players in line with the government's Atmanirbhar Bharat push.

The fresh $100 million infusion will be used to expand manufacturing capacity and ramp up research across key technologies, especially in autonomous navigation, propulsion systems, and AI-enabled targeting solutions. As India gears up to modernize its forces, Raphe is being seen as a vital piece in the future combat infrastructure — not just for surveillance, but for offensive and tactical operations.

Interestingly, Raphe’s rise is also reversing India’s brain drain in the deep-tech space. Engineers and scientists who previously worked in the US and Europe are returning to join the startup’s mission, lured by cutting-edge projects and the chance to work on national security-related innovations. This talent movement is giving India a rare opportunity to not only boost manufacturing but also deepen its R&D base with global expertise.

In a sector once dominated by global players, Raphe mPhibr is proving that India can not only match but lead in critical technologies, provided startups are backed with vision, resources, and a strong R&D culture. With defence tech now becoming a strategic priority, this drone-maker is soaring higher — both literally and figuratively — and putting Indian innovation on the global map.