Deepinder Goyal’s LAT Aerospace acquires defence robotics startup Sharang Shakti

LAT Aerospace, co-founded by Deepinder Goyal, the visionary behind Zomato, has made a significant move by acquiring the Gurugram-based defence robotics company, Sharang Shakti. This acquisition signals LAT Aerospace's commitment to enhancing indigenous defence technology capabilities. Goyal shared the announcement on X (formerly known as Twitter), emphasizing that this acquisition represents the company's inaugural step toward establishing a robust defence capability while also pursuing its long-term goal of innovating next-generation aviation solutions from India. He noted, "LAT Aerospace has acquired Sharang Shakti, an early-stage defence robotics startup based in Gurgaon. This is our first move toward building indigenous defence capabilities alongside our long-term mission of developing next-generation civil aviation platforms from India." While the financial specifics of the deal have not been disclosed, Sharang Shakti is actively engaged in developing an anti-drone air defence system, a critical area given the escalating security challenges posed by the proliferation of unmanned aerial vehicles. Goyal highlighted that this acquisition is part of a strategic initiative to create foundational technologies that can be utilized in both military and civilian sectors. He stated, "This is our first move toward building indigenous defence capabilities alongside our long-term mission of developing next-generation civil aviation platforms from India." Goyal further explained that the convergence of technology in defence and aviation sectors is a natural fit, as both share a common technological foundation in areas such as autonomy, perception, sensing, navigation, guidance, and control systems. By integrating Sharang Shakti into its framework, LAT Aerospace is positioning itself to develop these critical capabilities internally, moving away from dependence on external suppliers or foreign technologies. Goyal remarked, "By bringing Sharang Shakti into LAT, we are building these capabilities in-house, from first principles, with the intent to deploy them across both defence and civil programs over time." This strategic acquisition aligns with India's push for self-reliance in defence manufacturing, as part of the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative, where startups are increasingly crucial in advancing technologies such as drones and autonomous systems. LAT Aerospace is strategically positioned as a long-term player in the development of cutting-edge aerospace platforms from India, although details regarding its civil aviation strategy remain sparse.