Solar Defence has announced an investment of Rs 128 billion (Rs 128 bn) to develop robotics, unmanned aerial vehicles and deep technology projects across the defence and security sectors. The company indicated that the funding will support research and development, prototype development and scaled manufacturing in India. The announcement positions the firm to accelerate indigenous capabilities in automation and advanced systems for defence applications. The funding will also support iterative testing cycles and pilot deployments to mature capability readiness.

The investment will span autonomous ground systems, aerial platforms, artificial intelligence driven control systems and other deep tech initiatives aligned with modern warfare requirements. Solar Defence said strategic allocations will be made for development of long range missiles, countermeasures and persistent surveillance capabilities while emphasising safety and compliance with export controls. The programme is intended to bridge gaps in supply chains and reduce reliance on imports for critical systems. Priority workstreams will include sensor integration, secure communications and mission planning software.

The company intends to establish research centres, test facilities and local manufacturing hubs to foster collaboration with domestic suppliers and academic institutions. Partnerships and joint ventures are expected to support technology transfer and workforce development to build a sustainable defence industrial base. The plan is presented as part of a broader drive to nurture an ecosystem for advanced robotics and autonomous systems domestically. The approach will aim to align research outcomes with operational requirements and to sustain lifecycle maintenance capabilities.

Industry analysts believe the move could stimulate investment in the wider defence technology sector and provide new opportunities for startups and established firms to scale innovations. Solar Defence affirmed that the rollout will be phased over several years with an emphasis on meeting regulatory standards and operational reliability. The initiative is portrayed as a strategic effort to bolster national preparedness and technological leadership in defence automation. Stakeholder engagement is expected to guide responsible deployment and to address export and regulatory considerations.