Indian drone manufacturer Raphe mPhibr has raised $100 million in an all-equity Series B funding round led by General Catalyst, the startup announced Tuesday (June 24).
The capital injection comes amid a significant uptick in drone deployment for border surveillance and battlefield operations, especially following the recent India-Pakistan war that exposed the centrality of drones in modern warfare.
What will Raphe mPhibr use the funding for?
The Noida-based startup plans to use the new capital to expand its domestic manufacturing footprint and enhance research and development. Raphe mPhibr currently produces most of its components in-house, including flight controllers, batteries, autopilots, navigation systems, and structural materials such as carbon fiber composites and thermoplastics, TechCrunch reported.
Following the new round, the company has expanded from a 100,000-square-foot facility to a 650,000-square-foot integrated research and production center. Raphe also intends to begin manufacturing radar and high-end camera systems—currently its only imported components—within 18 months.
How did Raphe mPhibr begin?
Founded in 2017 by brothers Vikash and Vivek Mishra, the startup emerged from years of close engagement with Indian defence forces. Vikash, then at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and Vivek, at Georgia Tech, launched the startup after identifying operational gaps in India’s military drone systems.
Initially, Raphe operated from a 2,000-square-foot research space, gradually progressing to a range of indigenous drone platforms, including fixed-wing aircraft and VTOL (vertical takeoff and landing) drones. The company refused technology transfers, opting instead to build domestic competence from the ground up.
What kinds of drones does the company make?
Raphe mPhibr currently manufactures nine different drones, including:
- mR10: A swarm drone system for operational missions
- mR20: Designed for high-altitude logistics and resupply
- X8: A compact maritime patrol and situational awareness platform
- Bharat: A lightweight, man-portable surveillance drone
These drones are capable of carrying payloads between 4.4 and 441 pounds and have ranges from 12 to 124 miles. The systems are already in service with the Indian Army, Navy, Air Force, and paramilitary units such as the Border Security Force, Central Reserve Police Force, and Indo-Tibetan Border Police.
How has the India-Pakistan war influenced the company’s growth?
The recent India-Pakistan conflict catalyzed a shift in India’s military procurement priorities. According to the Drone Federation of India, New Delhi tripled its drone procurement budget to $470 million for the next 12 to 14 months. Raphe mPhibr is expected to play a central role in fulfilling this demand, having sold over 300 drones in the past year alone.
How does Raphe incorporate AI and advanced technologies?
Raphe’s platforms use artificial intelligence for object detection, frequency adaptation in electronic warfare environments, and decentralized swarm decision-making. The startup has also partnered with global defense leaders such as Germany’s Hensoldt and France’s Safran for sensor development, as well as Dassault Systèmes for software simulations.
Is Raphe mPhibr looking to expand globally?
While all of its current customers are Indian government agencies, the company is seeking to enter international markets. It holds multiple export licenses and has participated in defense expos in Dubai and Paris. CEO Vivek Mishra said Raphe is in “advanced talks” with foreign government clients and may begin deliveries abroad later this year.
Raphe has achieved 4x revenue growth over the last four years and has remained profitable throughout that period, according to Mishra. The startup now has 600 employees, including 150 in R&D and over 250 in production, and has raised $145 million in equity funding to date. The company is targeting a public offering within the next two to five years.