Digital News Guru Uttar Pradesh Desk:
Defence Technology
On August 30, 2025, India’s Defence Minister Rajnath Singh unveiled a landmark development in the nation’s defence capabilities. In Gautam Buddh Nagar, Uttar Pradesh, he inaugurated a state-of-the-art facility—housing drone and aircraft engine manufacturing, an aero-engine test bed, and an aerospace testing centre—established by the startup Refi M Fiber Pvt. Ltd (also referred to as Raphe mPhibr in some reports).
A Bold Declaration: Undetectable by US or China
At the event, Singh made a striking assertion: “When Indian drones fly, neither the US nor China will be able to detect them.” This bold statement, delivered with palpable pride, encapsulates a new era of India’s self-reliance in defence technology.
The Startup Behind the Innovation
Founded in 2017 by brothers Vikash and Vivek Mishra, Refi M Fiber began as a modest team of just 10. Today, it employs over 600 scientists and engineers, with the capacity to generate 5,000 new jobs in Uttar Pradesh through this facility.
The company has created a powerful ecosystem of advanced manufacturing and R&D—including:
- Engine test bed
- Metal additive manufacturing facility
- Advanced composite polymer manufacturing centre
- Payload drones
- Guided missile drones
Its platforms such as MR10 and MR20 support features like precision-guided systems and drone swarming capabilities. The company’s drone portfolio spans from lightweight surveillance models like Bharat to maritime drones like X8, with over 1,000 units delivered to the Indian Army and Navy—all produced with zero foreign collaborations.
From R&D to Real-World Operations: Operation Sindoor
A key highlight of the announcement was Operation Sindoor, where three products developed by Refi M Fiber in just 14 months—collaboratively with DRDO—were deployed successfully. Singh described the operation as emblematic of the fusion of “commitment, courage, and science,” noting that the forces neutralised adversarial threats in just 22 minutes.
Context: Why Drones Matter Now More Than Ever
Rajnath emphasised that drones are no longer supplementary assets; they are vital to modern warfare. He referenced the Russia–Ukraine conflict to illustrate how drones now operate in conflict zones where larger platforms cannot reach.
This event is also part of a broader push under Atmanirbhar Bharat, reinforcing India’s commitment to indigenous defence innovation. Government schemes such as the Technology Development Fund, National Research Foundation, and IDEX Aditi are in place to support startups across the sector.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath further underscored Uttar Pradesh’s emergence as a hub for ease of doing business, transforming Noida and the state into leading centres for defence manufacturing and technological advancement.
Technical Feasibility: A Caveat to the Claim
While the “undetectable” assertion projects formidable confidence, it’s important to note that no technical specifications—such as stealth capabilities, radar cross-section metrics, or third-party validation—were provided. The claim serves more as a powerful statement of intent and national pride than a detailed exposition of technological breakthroughs.
Broader Defence Landscape
This moment aligns with other significant strides across India’s defence spectrum. For example:
- India recently tested a high-power laser-based air defence system, Project Sudarshan Chakra, which drew attention for its sophistication—even startling Chinese analysts.
- Earlier this August, Singh also lauded India’s new stealth frigates, INS Udaygiri and INS Himgiri, as a “floating F-35” — signalling India’s growing naval autonomy and self-reliance.
Why This Matters
This development signifies a multi-layered narrative:
- Technological Leap: A base-to-deployment timeline of under two years for new systems is extraordinary by global standards.
- Economic Impact: With jobs and centres of innovation concentrated in UP, regional economies and skilled workforce growth receive a boost.
- Strategic Autonomy: Reducing dependency on foreign defence imports increases self-sufficiency and strategic flexibility.
- Inspirational Effect: Celebrating young engineers and startups preserves morale and inspires future generations toward homegrown innovation.
Looking Ahead
If the infrastructure and R&D capacity of Refi M Fiber continues to scale, India may revolutionise its drone warfare capabilities in the years to come. Industry watchers should monitor:
- Independent assessments of stealth or detection-avoidance technologies.
- Further applications of these drones—whether in surveillance, combat, or multi-drone swarming.
- Integration with broader systems like AI-enabled command and control (e.g., Project Akashteer) for coordinated air defence responses.
- Future procurement plans, such as the Indian Air Force’s “Unmanned Force Plan” aiming to acquire 30–50 UAVs over the next three to five years.
In Summary, the Defence Minister’s declaration—”when Indian drones fly, neither the US nor China can detect them”—marks a pivotal moment in India’s defence trajectory. Symbolic yet ambitious, it signals a new dawn of technological ambition, indigenous innovation, and strategic independence.
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