In a country where innovation and bureaucracy confront head-on and startups struggle to penetrate traditional sectors like defence, two engineering students from BITS Pilani have set a new precedent. Jayant Khatri and Sourya Choudhury, both 20 years old, are the co-founders of Apollyon Dynamics, a deep-tech startup building radar-evading, kamikaze drones. Their bold idea, however, did not just catch the eye of LinkedIn but they were able to acquire contracts with the Indian Army within 6 months.
This is the story of Apollyon Dynamics—a startup born out of dorm rooms, driven by purpose, and aiming to become India’s answer to cutting-edge autonomous aerial warfare.
Genesis of Apollyon Dynamics: Born from Patriotism and Problem-Solving
This was when Jayant and Sourya, mechanical engineering students at BITS Pilani-Hyderabad, observed an opening in the country’s defense drone environment. In 2020, at the height of a standoff with China along the border in the Ladakh sector of J&K, when the government was talking about “Atmanirbhar Bharat” and local manufacturing, one would think that loitering munitions (drones cruising in the air for hours and available for diving or exploding on command) would now be indigenously manufactured.
So instead of waiting for the big defense contractors to move, they just decided to do it themselves.
During late 2024, they launched the drone prototypes in college labs where they had just started on their prototype drones using self-funding options. Their goal is to make 1200kmph stealth kamikaze drones with the ability to carry a payload in hostile terrains, at way less than imported cost.
The Breakthrough: Leveraging LinkedIn to Reach the Indian Army
Compared to standard startup journeys that venture through years of stealth mode, Apollyon Dynamics took a radically open approach to validation.
By the beginning of 2025, they posted a small article on LinkedIn with an example from life and the video test for their AD-1 prototype. The kamikaze drone, which scientists claimed could reach 300 km/h top speeds and carry up to 1 kg explosive payloads and resembled a cruise missile, was seen as India’s home-grown product in the loitering munition technology.
The post went viral. In a matter of days, they heard back from multiple Indian Army battalions who wanted to see the system in live demonstrations. Just weeks later, they were conducting trials across three military bases in Northern and Eastern Commands.
From a LinkedIn post to Army trials in less than 60 days—that is the Apollyon story.
Product Highlights: Inside the AD-1 Kamikaze Drone
Key Features:
- Top Speed: 300 km/h
- Payload Capacity: 1 kg (explosive, surveillance, or jamming)
- Range: 25–40 km
- Stealth Capabilities: Designed to be radar-resistant
- Autonomy: Pre-programmed attack path with optional remote override
- Cost Efficiency: Built at 1/3rd the cost of imported equivalents
Unlike quadcopters, the AD-1 is fixed-wing, which offers greater speed, agility, and longer range. Its disposable nature (once detonated, it is destroyed) makes it ideal for precision attacks in high-risk zones.
Funding, Bootstrapping & Challenges
Building a defense-grade drone on a student budget is not easy. Jayant and Sourya bootstrapped the company, pooling personal savings, crowdfunding from peers, and using university resources to prototype.
Challenges faced:
Breaking into the defence sector as student entrepreneurs brought its own set of unique challenges. Bureaucracy was the first hurdle, with test permissions moving at a slow pace, even when the Army had shown interest. Every approval felt like a long wait that could stall progress.
Sourcing materials and manufacturing components locally posed another challenge. Without vendor credibility or a proven network, finding the right parts became a time-consuming task. It demanded persistence and creative problem-solving to keep development on track.
They also faced scepticism, as defence startups by students are rare. Early validation was essential to gain trust, all while navigating strict security clearances for drone testing near strategic areas. It was a test of both innovation and resilience.
Despite this, their resourcefulness and technical depth got them through—backed by rapid iteration, open-source research, and sheer persistence.
Indian Army Trials: From Prototype to Combat Readiness
Their first trial was conducted at a forward operating base (undisclosed) in Eastern India. In front of commanding officers, the drone was launched, locked on to a simulated target, and successfully detonated mid-air—a flawless test.
After numerous trials the Indian Army finally cleared Apollyon Dynamics for operational deployment — one of those rare and historic examples when students turn suppliers to the armed forces.
Today, Apollyon Dynamics is in talks for larger procurement contracts and sourcing integration with surveillance systems and AI targeting.
Differentiation: Why Apollyon Stands Out
| Feature | Apollyon Dynamics | Imported Equivalents (e.g., Switchblade) |
| Manufacturing Cost | ₹80,000–1.2 lakh | ₹3–5 lakh |
| Speed | 300 km/h | 150–200 km/h |
| Turnaround Time | Under 2 weeks | 3–6 months (import logistics) |
| Founders’ Background | Indian engineering students | Established defense manufacturers |
| Procurement Model | Direct partnership with battalions | Government tenders |
Their lean model, deep-tech foundation, and patriotic pitch give them a unique blend of agility, affordability, and credibility—especially in India’s current push for indigenization.
Vision Beyond Kamikaze: What’s Next for Apollyon Dynamics?
Jayant and Sourya do not want to stop at one drone.
Roadmap:
- 2025: Scale AD-1 production, expand to more Army units
- 2026: Launch surveillance and swarm-capable drones
- 2027: Build AI-enabled drones with real-time threat detection
- 2028: Export to friendly nations under “Make in India” export schemes
They also plan to build modular drone systems that can serve both military and disaster response needs (e.g., fire-fighting, delivery in war zones, etc.).
Support from BITS Pilani & Mentors
Their alma mater, BITS Pilani, has extended full backing—connecting them with BITS Pilani defense veterans, opening incubation opportunities, and guiding IP development.
Several Indian angel investors and ex-military strategists have expressed interest in backing the startup’s next phase. Talks for seed funding are ongoing as of August 2025.
Media Coverage & Public Recognition
Apollyon Dynamics has been covered in:
- India Times: “Two 20-year-old pitch a kamikaze drone, bag Army deal”
- Economic Times (StartupBeat): “India’s Gen Z defense disruptors”
- LinkedIn: Viral posts with over 2M impressions
- YouTube: Tech influencers like Tech Burner and Defence Decode featuring Apollyon tests
This early traction is helping them position themselves not just as engineers, but as visionary entrepreneurs rewriting the rules of defense innovation.
Their journey has lessons for every aspiring entrepreneur.
“In a world of slow approvals and safer choices, Apollyon Dynamics proved that courage, code, and a drone prototype can take you from dorm rooms to defense deals.”
Lessons for Young Entrepreneurs
Apollyon Dynamics is more than just a drone story — it serves as proof of what can happen when their capabilities and superior execution are paired with actual purpose. The founders have proven that you don´t have to direct an MBA study to establish a successful startup, only a goal and courage are enough. Their experience also highlights the incredible potential of platforms like LinkedIn, where a single, well-timed post can lead to million-dollar opportunities and valuable partnerships.
The story of Apollyon reminds us one thing however, validate your ideas as soon as possible—because they prototyped and pitched early, saving years’ worth of potential development time. They have also shown that bureaucratic barriers can be overcome when you are solving real-world problems with innovative solutions.
It has proved beyond doubt that the age of traditional, seemingly staid, and essentially brick-and-mortar industries like defense is over, and that India is ready to embrace indigenous innovation and dynamism if they are helmed by youth.
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Conclusion: Apollyon Dynamics Is Just Getting Started
In a country obsessed with JEE ranks and corporate jobs, Jayant and Sourya chose a different path—one that flies 300 km/h and lands in military zones. Their story is not just a startup success for the country but it is a blueprint for 21st-century Indian innovation.
With the right support, policy alignment, and execution, Apollyon Dynamics could become India’s first unicorn in defense drones—and that journey, like their drones, has only just taken flight.
