Deepinder Goyal’s LAT Aerospace Acquires Sharang Shakti

In a strategic move blending civil aviation innovation with defence technology, LAT Aerospace, cofounded by Deepinder Goyal and Surobhi Dash, has acquired Gurugram-based defence robotics startup Sharang Shakti. The acquisition signals LAT’s broader ambition to build indigenous capabilities across shared technology platforms spanning autonomy, navigation, and advanced aerospace systems.

LAT Aerospace’s First Step Into Defence Technology

LAT Aerospace, the airmobility venture launched in January 2025 by Deepinder Goyal and Surobhi Dash, has announced the acquisition of Sharang Shakti. While the financial terms of the transaction have not been disclosed, the deal marks a significant milestone for the young aerospace company.

Goyal described the acquisition as the company’s first concrete step toward building indigenous defence capabilities alongside its long-term mission of developing next-generation civil aviation platforms in India.

Bridging Civil Aviation and Defence

According to Deepinder Goyal, the divide between civil aviation and defence technology is often overstated. He emphasised that both sectors share a common technological foundation, particularly in areas such as autonomy, sensing, perception systems, navigation, guidance, and control mechanisms.

By integrating Sharang Shakti into LAT Aerospace, the company aims to develop these core capabilities internally rather than relying on external vendors. The move is intended to accelerate in-house expertise in mission-critical technologies that can serve both commercial and defence applications.

This convergence strategy reflects a broader global trend, where aerospace and defence innovations increasingly rely on overlapping software, artificial intelligence, and advanced hardware stacks.

LAT Aerospace’s Vision: STOL Aircraft and Hybrid Efficiency

LAT Aerospace is currently developing a Short Takeoff and Landing (STOL) aircraft designed for short runways and high-frequency regional operations. The company aims to unlock new possibilities for regional connectivity, especially in areas where traditional infrastructure limits access.

According to its publicly stated vision, LAT Aerospace plans to combine high-performance batteries for takeoff with efficient combustion engines for sustained range and endurance. This hybrid approach is expected to lower fuel consumption, reduce emissions, and improve reliability for regional routes.

The integration of defence-grade autonomy and sensing technologies could potentially enhance both performance and safety standards in its civil aviation platforms.

About Sharang Shakti: India’s Emerging Drone Defence Player

Founded in 2023 in Gurugram by Rishabh Choudhary, Jitendra Singh, and Chirag Singla, Sharang Shakti operates in the fast-evolving defence robotics space.

The company is working on building an air defence system aimed at countering small drone threats — a challenge increasingly faced by modern militaries worldwide. Its concept is often compared to Israel’s Iron Dome, though tailored to address micro-drone detection and neutralisation.

Sharang Shakti’s technology portfolio includes:

• Low C-SWaP (Cost, Size, Weight, and Power) radar systems designed to detect micro-drones

• Hard-kill interceptors capable of physically neutralising rogue drones

• Core technical development in control systems, computer vision, and RF system design

The company focuses on autonomous, mission-ready systems designed for modern combat environments.

Why the Acquisition Matters

1. Strengthening Indigenous Defence Capability

India has been actively encouraging domestic defence innovation under its self-reliance initiatives. By acquiring Sharang Shakti, LAT Aerospace positions itself within this strategic framework, potentially contributing to India’s defence ecosystem.

2. Building Core Technology In-House

Rather than treating defence and civil aviation as separate verticals, LAT’s approach centres on mastering shared technological building blocks. Expertise in radar systems, autonomous navigation, and AI-driven perception can create cross-sector advantages.

3. Expanding Strategic Relevance

For Deepinder Goyal, best known as the founder of Zomato, the move represents diversification into high-technology aerospace and defence sectors. It underscores a shift from consumer technology to deep-tech infrastructure development.

A Convergence of Aerospace and Robotics

Globally, aerospace companies are increasingly blending robotics, AI, and advanced materials science to build next-generation platforms. Drone defence systems, autonomous aircraft, and smart navigation systems all rely on similar computational and hardware architectures.

By bringing Sharang Shakti’s defence robotics expertise under its umbrella, LAT Aerospace appears to be positioning itself at this intersection — where civil aviation efficiency meets military-grade autonomy.

Conclusion

The acquisition of Sharang Shakti marks a defining early move for LAT Aerospace. It signals ambition beyond regional air mobility, pointing toward a broader ecosystem play that integrates civil aviation and defence technologies.

While financial details remain undisclosed, the strategic intent is clear: build indigenous, vertically integrated capabilities across autonomy, sensing, and control systems. If executed effectively, this approach could give LAT Aerospace a competitive edge in both commercial and defence aerospace innovation in India.