A new aerospace and defence manufacturing company has been launched in Hyderabad, marking the entry of Telangana Minister Ponguleti Srinivasa Reddy’s family into the strategic sector. Raghava Aerospace and Defence Pvt Ltd (RADPL), headed by Likhit Reddy Ponguleti, was inaugurated at Kokapet in the presence of Minister Ponguleti Srinivasa Reddy and former DRDO Chairman Dr G. Satheesh Reddy. The facility represents a significant private sector investment in India’s growing aerospace and defence manufacturing ecosystem.
The company has announced its flagship project, an indigenous MALE-300 ISR drone, designed for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance operations. The drone is engineered to carry a 300 kg payload and features an impressive 30-hour endurance capability. The unmanned aerial vehicle will be capable of operating at altitudes up to 30,000 feet, positioning it as a medium-altitude long-endurance platform suitable for various defence and civilian applications.
The launch of RADPL comes at a time when the Indian government is actively promoting indigenous defence manufacturing under the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative. The presence of Dr G. Satheesh Reddy, who served as Chairman of the Defence Research and Development Organisation, underscores the technical credentials and strategic importance of the venture. The facility at Kokapet is expected to contribute to Telangana’s emergence as a hub for aerospace and defence manufacturing in southern India.
