Whizz Aerospace Private Limited is redefining India’s drone landscape with its innovative, homegrown smart drone solutions. As a rising force in the consumer drone market, the company delivers high-quality, cost-effective drones meticulously crafted for videography and photography enthusiasts. Backed by an audacious vision, Whizz Aerospace is steadily positioning itself as India’s foremost authority in the design, development, servicing, and support of commercial unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). With an unwavering commitment to versatility and dependability, the company aspires to become the go-to provider of multipurpose drones tailored to the evolving needs of diverse industries.
At the 5th AeroDef India Manufacturing Exhibition & Conference, Aaliyan Khan, Founder and Director of Whizz Aerospace, engaged in an exclusive conversation with The Interview World. He unveiled the company’s latest drone offerings and shared compelling insights into the evolving trajectory of drone technology in India. He spotlighted key collaborations with government clients, articulated his long-term vision for innovation, and emphasized how Whizz strikes the perfect balance between affordability and premium quality.
Here are the most compelling highlights from his visionary dialogue.
Q: Could you share insights into the latest drones you’ve recently commercialized—what are their key features, intended applications, and what sets them apart in the current market?
A: We have expanded our product line to include three distinct drone models: Razor, Nimble, and Sentinel. Each serves a specialized purpose. Sentinel is engineered for confined space inspections, Nimble is designed for general-purpose surveillance, and Razor delivers an immersive first-person view (FPV) experience for high-speed operations.
To support these innovations, we have made substantial investments in research and development. This commitment has enabled us to design and manufacture critical electronic components in-house—components essential for drone production. Our long-term vision is clear and resolute: to build a fully self-reliant drone ecosystem in India.
We aim to eliminate dependency on global supply chains, especially in scenarios involving sanctions, geopolitical tensions, or war. Strategic autonomy is no longer optional—it’s imperative. By developing our own drones and integrating indigenous weapons systems, we ensure national resilience.
In sensitive domains like defence and policing, relying on imported drone components poses unacceptable risks. Therefore, we remain steadfast in our mission to indigenize drone technology and build a robust, sovereign capability that serves both security and innovation.
Q: Since you’re indigenously developing every component of the drone, are you also designing and building the battery management system in-house?
A: Yes, we have developed our own Battery Management System (BMS). The only components we currently procure externally are the motors and batteries. Everything else—from hardware to critical systems—is entirely built in-house. Moreover, we are engineering proprietary software to manage and optimize drone operations. This end-to-end control allows us to ensure greater reliability, security, and performance across our drone platforms.
Q: How do you envision the future of drone technology in India?
A: We are strategically focusing on the defence sector, government enterprises, public sector undertakings (PSUs), and the oil and gas industry, among others. This shift aligns with India’s growing emphasis on self-reliance in defence. As the sector moves steadily toward self-reliance, we are better positioned to meet its evolving demands.
By developing advanced equipment in-house, we significantly reduce costs while enhancing quality. As a result, we deliver superior drones at a fraction of the cost of their international counterparts—without compromising on performance or reliability.
Q: Could you highlight your key government clients and the types of drone solutions you provide for them?
A: Absolutely—we are already in advanced discussions with several oil PSUs, as well as key stakeholders in the defence and police sectors. By the end of this year, we aim to begin rolling out our drones to these organizations. Our immediate focus will be on delivering high-performance surveillance drones tailored to their operational needs.
Q: What is your long-term vision for innovation in drone technologies over the next 5 to 10 years, and which areas do you see as the most transformative?
A: We are now setting our sights on the consumer drone market as well. Soon, our drones will compete head-to-head with global giants like DJI. In fact, our products are already surpassing them in quality. That’s the vision driving us forward—building world-class drones that not only match but outperform the best in the industry.
Q: Affordability is a critical factor for success in the Indian market—how are you addressing cost-effectiveness while maintaining performance and quality in your drone solutions?
A: In consumer-comparable segments, our drones are already more affordable than those offered by most major Indian startups. As mentioned earlier, our Nimble drone—designed primarily for general-purpose surveillance—can also function as a high-quality camera drone, ideal for everyday photography or entry-level professional use.
The base model is priced between ₹80,000 and ₹1 lakh, making it approximately 30% more cost-effective than similar offerings in the global market. More importantly, these drones are built to last. We have rigorously tested them across diverse conditions, ensuring they deliver reliable, robust performance every time.
