KshatraLabs is developing an unmanned aerial vehicle designed to intercept other drones. Existing anti-drone defense methods are divided into two types: 'soft kill,' which involves jamming signals necessary for the drone's navigation or communication with the operator, and 'hard kill,' which implies physically disabling it.
The soft kill method is more economical and reversible, but it is ineffective against aircraft flying along a pre-programmed route without needing to receive any signals. This vulnerability has contributed to the growing popularity of interceptors.
The drone sent to intercept another drone is more costly than a jammer but significantly cheaper than a missile, and it can operate regardless of whether the target receives any signals. KshatraLabs was founded in Bengaluru in October 2025 with the goal of developing such products.
The company positions itself as a defense robotics firm working on autonomous anti-drone systems, with the ambitious goal of creating and deploying autonomous robots in the air, on land, at sea, and in space. Their product is called HAWK—an autonomous aerial interceptor capable of detecting, tracking, and neutralizing hostile unmanned aerial vehicles at speeds exceeding 89.5 meters per second, which is about 300 km/h, while being ready for launch in less than five seconds.
These two metrics point to a common problem: a drone approaching an object provides very little warning, so an interceptor requiring minutes to prepare is too late, and one that cannot outpace the target will never reach it.
The aircraft design is oriented towards software. External sensors, such as radar, transmit control to electro-optical and infrared sensors installed on board, which take over control at the final stage. The company claims this works on a proprietary autonomy stack called APEX.
Furthermore, the company is working on swarm interceptors capable of acting collectively against mass attacks, as well as on a control and command level that must function where satellite navigation is unavailable. Both directions are based on the assumption that threats arrive in groups, and the defender cannot rely on the functionality of its own signals.
KshatraLabs reported completing 'hardware-in-the-loop testing' at a speed of 90 meters per second. This method involves operating real equipment in a simulated environment. The company also received feedback from the Indian Armed Forces regarding hard kill systems.
In August 2026, Finvolve and India Accelerator announced providing the company with a pre-seed investment. The amount invested was not disclosed. Stated goals for the use of funds include research and development, hiring engineers, intellectual property, certifications, defense activities, and operations.
A specific goal tied to this funding is achieving a certain level of readiness. The company aims to advance its interceptors to Technology Readiness Level 6, meaning demonstrating a prototype in a relevant environment rather than in a laboratory, and starting the field testing process.
The market KshatraLabs is entering already includes large and long-established players such as Bharat Electronics, Zen Technologies, and Paras Defence. In government defense procurement, preference is often given to existing suppliers, and a certified product from a known supplier is a simpler solution than a faster product from an unknown company.
KshatraLabs is only ten months old, has fewer than ten employees, and has no announced clients, orders, or certifications. Nevertheless, its advantages lie in its technical specifications, testing results, and the overall market trend moving in its direction.