Noida-based aerospace startup EndureAir Systems Pvt Ltd has secured ₹30.01 crore in funding under the Research and Development Initiative (RDI) fund of the Department of Science and Technology, with support from the Technology Development Board. The company has emerged as the first drone manufacturer to receive support under the inaugural cohort of the initiative, marking a significant milestone for India’s indigenous unmanned aviation sector.
The funding, structured as patient capital, will accelerate the development of EndureAir’s SABAL-200 heavy-lift unmanned aerial system, enabling the platform to advance from Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 5 to TRL 9. The investment is expected to strengthen the company’s capabilities across product engineering, testing, manufacturing and deployment infrastructure.
EndureAir plans to deploy the capital towards research and development, technology enhancement, manufacturing expansion and field-testing facilities. The initiative is aligned with India’s broader objective of strengthening domestic capabilities in high-payload drone systems and reducing dependence on imported technologies.
The SABAL-200 is a Vertical Take-Off and Landing (VTOL) unmanned aerial system engineered to transport payloads of up to 200 kilograms. Designed for demanding operational environments, the platform offers an endurance of 2.5 hours and a range of 200 kilometres. It integrates a variable-pitch rotor mechanism, turbocharged internal combustion engine and advanced mechanical powertrain to support sustained heavy-lift operations over extended distances.
Commenting on the development, Dr Abhishek, Founder and Director of EndureAir Systems Pvt Ltd, said that the development of aerospace-grade deep-tech platforms requires long-term commitment beyond prototype stages. He noted that the RDI support would help the company transition the SABAL-200 into a fully field-deployable platform while further advancing indigenous engineering and design capabilities.
EndureAir’s UAV portfolio has been built on more than a decade of rotorcraft research and development. Its earlier platforms, including the SABAL-20 and SABAL-40, have been deployed across defence and civilian applications, particularly in high-altitude and challenging terrains. The SABAL-200 builds on this operational experience to address aerial logistics requirements in remote regions where conventional transportation access remains limited.
The platform is expected to support critical supply movement for defence operations in forward areas while also enabling infrastructure and logistics support in difficult civilian terrains. As the company scales its production and operational network, the expansion is also anticipated to generate employment opportunities across Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities.
Founded in 2018 within the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur ecosystem, EndureAir has evolved from a research-driven initiative into a developer of mission-ready unmanned aerial platforms designed and manufactured in-house for Indian operating conditions. With the SABAL-200 program, the company aims to strengthen India’s aerial logistics ecosystem and contribute to the growth of indigenous unmanned aviation technologies.
