A Hyderabad-based defence technology startup has set a new benchmark in the country’s rapidly developing drone industry.
Apollyon Dynamics, which is incubated at the BITS Pilani Hyderabad campus, has announced that its latest electric multirotor interceptor, Ahuti Mk II, reached a certified top speed of 498 km/h. The achievement has been recognised by the India Book of Records under the category of maximum speed achieved by a multirotor UAV.
The new figure is significantly higher than the previously cited Indian benchmark of around 325 km/h, representing an increase of roughly 170 km/h.
Designed for high-speed interception
Unlike conventional multirotor drones that are primarily designed for hovering, surveillance, photography or carrying payloads, Ahuti Mk II has been developed specifically as a high-speed interceptor.
The company says its design focus is to rapidly close the distance to incoming aerial threats, including low-cost drones and loitering munitions that have become increasingly prominent in modern conflicts.
According to founder Jayant Khatri, the aircraft underwent an extensive redesign before reaching its current performance. The frame, propulsion system and motor configuration were reworked through approximately 10 design iterations.
From 300 km/h to 498 km/h
The Ahuti Mk II evolved from the company’s earlier Ahuti platform, which reportedly reached approximately 300 km/h in 2025.
Within less than a year, Apollyon says it increased the platform’s certified top speed to 498 km/h — an improvement of about 66%. The development programme ran from December through August, with the team concentrating on propulsion, aerodynamics and overall high-speed performance.
The company has also highlighted its use of a high-current propulsion setup, with founder Jayant Khatri saying the system can draw a burst current of around 400 amperes during high-speed operation.
Indian Army trials
Apollyon Dynamics has tested its systems at military firing and operational ranges, including Babina and Gopalpur. The company has credited the Indian Army for supporting and facilitating its trials.
The startup has also said it has already supplied certain unmanned systems to the Indian Army, as it works toward developing indigenous technologies tailored to defence requirements.
Focus on affordable counter-drone technology
Beyond the speed record, Apollyon Dynamics says it is focused on making counter-drone capabilities more economically viable. The company uses an internal measure described as “strike envelope per rupee” to assess the capability delivered relative to cost.
The record marks another significant step for India’s growing private defence-technology ecosystem, particularly as the use of unmanned systems continues to expand in modern warfare and security operations.
