Ahmedabad Techie’s Breakthrough: Automated Grenade Detonation Drone ‘Gati’ Secures Indian Army Order for 20 Units
In a remarkable feat of indigenous innovation, Keshavkant Sharma, an engineer from Ahmedabad, has developed a game-changing military drone named ‘Gati’ that automates grenade detonation and returns safely after delivering precise strikes. Following successful trials at Pokhran, the Indian Army has placed an order for over 20 units of this cutting-edge unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) from Sharma’s company, Protthapan. Reported by India Today and The India Daily on July 25, 2025, this development marks a significant step forward in India’s push for self-reliant defense technology. Here’s everything you need to know about Gati, its capabilities, and its implications for modern warfare.
The Genesis of Gati: Inspired by Battlefield Challenges
The idea for Gati was born out of operational challenges faced during Operation Sindoor, a high-stakes counter-terror mission in May 2025 that saw India neutralize over 600 Pakistani drones using its Integrated Counter-Unmanned Aircraft System (C-UAS) grid. Sharma identified a critical gap in precision grenade deployment, where traditional methods required soldiers to manually remove the grenade’s pin and release the lever, risking exposure to enemy fire. Gati addresses this by automating the entire process midair, ensuring accurate detonation while keeping personnel safe.
“This drone doesn’t just drop the grenade—it removes the pin and releases the lever midair, ensuring detonation at the target site and safely returning afterward,” Sharma explained in an interview with India Today. His innovation, inspired by the evolving nature of drone-centric warfare, aims to reduce battlefield casualties and enhance operational efficiency.
Gati’s Technical Prowess
Gati is a lightweight, military-grade UAV designed for targeted grenade attacks with the following specifications:
- Range and Altitude: Capable of flying 7.5 kilometers at a height of 500 meters, allowing it to reach deep into contested areas.
- Weight: At just 2.5 kilograms, Gati is highly maneuverable and easy to deploy.
- Functionality: Automates grenade pin removal and lever release midair, triggering detonation precisely four seconds later at the target site.
- Safety and Return: Post-detonation, the drone returns safely to base, minimizing equipment loss and enabling reuse.
- Testing: Successfully demonstrated at Pokhran, Rajasthan, showcasing high accuracy and reliability under rigorous conditions.
The drone’s compact design and advanced automation make it a versatile asset for counter-insurgency and precision strike missions, particularly in challenging terrains like the Himalayas or dense forests, as highlighted by DefenceXP.
Indian Army’s Endorsement: A Milestone for Protthapan
The Indian Army’s order of over 20 Gati units from Protthapan, Sharma’s Ahmedabad-based company, underscores the drone’s potential to transform battlefield dynamics. The successful Pokhran trials impressed military officials, who recognized Gati’s ability to deliver pinpoint strikes with minimal risk to soldiers. According to Sharma, “The use of such drones significantly reduces life loss on the battlefield,” aligning with the Army’s push for technology-driven solutions in modern warfare.
This order follows India’s broader adoption of drones, as seen in Operation Sindoor, where indigenous systems like the Akash missile and Akashteer air defense network neutralized enemy threats. The Army’s investment in Gati reflects its commitment to integrating innovative, homegrown technologies, as emphasized by Chief of Defence Staff Gen. Anil Chauhan, who stated, “Yesterday’s weapons can’t win today’s wars” (Times of India, July 16, 2025).
Context: The Rise of Drones in Indian Defense
India’s defense landscape is rapidly evolving, with drones playing a pivotal role. The success of Bengaluru-built SkyStriker suicide drones during Operation Sindoor and the development of DRDO’s Rustom-II and AURA stealth UAVs highlight India’s focus on unmanned systems. However, Gati stands out for its unique grenade automation, offering a low-cost, high-impact solution compared to heavier platforms like the MQ-9 Reaper or Harop drones used in recent India-Pakistan clashes (Reuters, May 27, 2025).
Posts on X, such as those from @IndianTechGuide and @justtweettz on July 26, 2025, reflect public excitement, with users praising Gati as a testament to “Indian minds” and a “game-changer” for military technology. This sentiment aligns with India’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India) initiative, which prioritizes indigenous defense innovation.
Why Gati Matters
- Precision and Safety: Gati’s automation reduces human exposure to danger, enabling precise strikes without risking soldiers’ lives.
- Cost-Effectiveness: At a fraction of the cost of larger UAVs, Gati offers an economical solution for tactical missions.
- Versatility: Its lightweight design and 7.5-km range make it ideal for diverse scenarios, from border skirmishes to counter-terror operations.
- Indigenous Innovation: Built entirely in India, Gati strengthens the nation’s defense self-reliance, reducing dependence on foreign systems like the US MQ-9 Reaper or Israeli Harop (DefenceXP).
Challenges and Future Prospects
While Gati’s success is a milestone, challenges remain:
- Scalability: Producing over 20 units is a start, but meeting the Army’s growing demand for drones requires expanded manufacturing capacity.
- Counter-Drone Threats: As seen in Operation Sindoor, adversaries like Pakistan are deploying advanced Chinese drones, necessitating robust counter-UAS measures (Times of India, July 16, 2025).
- Technological Evolution: The rapid obsolescence of drone technology, as noted in Ukraine’s conflict (EurAsian Times, May 11, 2025), demands continuous upgrades to keep Gati competitive.
Sharma’s team is already exploring enhancements, such as AI-based targeting and extended range, to ensure Gati remains relevant. The Indian Army’s interest in other indigenous drones, like those from Apollyon Dynamics (The Hindu, July 22, 2025), suggests a vibrant ecosystem for UAV innovation, with Gati at the forefront.
The Bigger Picture
Gati’s development comes amid a global shift toward drone-centric warfare, as evidenced by the India-Pakistan drone clashes in May 2025 (BBC, May 9, 2025). With Pakistan leveraging Chinese and Turkish UAVs and India deploying systems like the Bhargavastra counter-drone system (Times of India, May 14, 2025), drones are redefining modern conflict. Gati’s ability to deliver precise, automated strikes positions India to counter these threats effectively while showcasing its technological prowess.
For investors and defense enthusiasts, Gati represents an opportunity to support India’s growing defense-tech sector. Companies like Protthapan, alongside Garuda Aerospace and Dhaksha Unmanned Systems (Built In, September 16, 2024), are driving India toward becoming a global leader in UAV production. The Army’s order signals confidence in homegrown solutions, potentially attracting further investment.
Conclusion: A New Era for Indian Defense
Keshavkant Sharma’s Gati drone is more than a technological marvel—it’s a symbol of India’s rising stature in defense innovation. By automating grenade detonation and securing an Army order for 20 units, Gati addresses critical battlefield needs while advancing the Aatmanirbhar Bharat vision. As India navigates a complex security landscape, innovations like Gati will play a pivotal role in ensuring air superiority and operational success.
Investors, policymakers, and defense analysts should watch Protthapan closely as it scales production and refines its technology. With the Indian Army embracing such advancements, Gati is poised to redefine tactical warfare, proving that Indian ingenuity can soar to new heights—literally and figuratively.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment or defense advice. Always consult trusted sources and conduct your own research for accurate information.
