LAT Aerospace—a venture co-founded by Zomato’s Deepinder Goyal and Surobhi Das—announced the acquisition of the Gurugram-based defense robotics startup Sharang Shakti.
This move marks a significant pivot for the aviation-focused firm, representing its formal entry into the indigenous defense technology sector.
Key Details of the Acquisition
Deepinder Goyal announced the deal on X (formerly Twitter), framing it as a strategic step toward building a unified technology stack for both military and civilian use.
- Target Company: Sharang Shakti, an early-stage startup founded in 2023.
- Core Technology: Sharang Shakti specializes in airspace surveillance and counter-UAS (Unmanned Aerial Systems). They are currently developing an anti-drone system designed to detect, track, and neutralize hostile drones.+1
- Strategic Intent: Goyal emphasized that while civil aviation and defense are often seen as distinct, they share a “core technology stack” involving autonomy, sensing, navigation, and guidance systems.
- In-House Capability: By absorbing Sharang Shakti, LAT Aerospace aims to build these foundational capabilities “from first principles” rather than relying on external vendors.
About LAT Aerospace
Founded in June 2025, LAT Aerospace has an ambitious mission to establish the world’s densest regional aviation network based in India.
| Feature | Description |
| Mission | Developing next-generation civil aviation and indigenous defense platforms. |
| Current Progress | Currently developing its first flight demonstrators with testing underway. |
| Philosophy | “Embodied AI” and autonomous systems for regional air travel and security. |
Context: The Drone Defense Market
The acquisition is timely, as the Indian government’s Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative is pushing for self-reliance in defense. Counter-drone technology has become a top priority for the Indian Armed Forces following the increased use of drones in border areas.
Sharang Shakti had previously raised roughly ₹5 crore in a pre-seed round (September 2024) led by Venture Highway and AUM Ventures, signaling strong early interest from the venture community before being snapped up by Goyal’s aerospace firm.
