Hybrid-electric aviation startup LAT Aerospace has acquired Gurugram based defence robotics firm Sharang Shakti in a move that signals a calibrated expansion into indigenous defence technologies alongside its civil aviation ambitions.
The acquisition, announced by co-founder Deepinder Goyal, marks LAT Aerospace’s first formal step into defence capability building. While financial terms were not disclosed, the strategic intent is clear: build a shared technology stack spanning civil aviation and defence grade autonomous systems.
Convergence of Civil and Defence Technologies
Industry observers often treat civil aviation and defence as separate verticals. However, both sectors rely heavily on core technologies such as autonomy, perception systems, sensing, navigation, guidance, and advanced flight control architectures. By acquiring Sharang Shakti, LAT Aerospace is effectively internalising critical capabilities in these domains.
Founded in 2023, Sharang Shakti specialises in anti-drone and aerial threat mitigation systems. Its portfolio includes drone detection radar solutions and interceptor technologies designed to counter emerging low-altitude aerial threats a segment witnessing accelerated demand globally.
For LAT Aerospace, these competencies directly complement its work on hybrid electric regional aircraft and vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) platforms. Aerospace grade control systems, autonomous navigation stacks, and real-time sensing technologies are foundational to both clean aviation platforms and defence robotics.
Capital Deployment and Strategic Direction
LAT Aerospace was launched in 2024 and formally co-founded by Goyal in early 2025, with an initial personal investment of $20 million. The company is reportedly in discussions to raise an additional $50 million to accelerate development and infrastructure build out.
The acquisition comes shortly after Goyal stepped down as Group CEO of Eternal, parent entity of Zomato, indicating a sharper focus on long horizon industrial and aerospace ventures.
Strategic Implications
The move reflects a broader trend of private Indian capital flowing into advanced manufacturing, defence electronics, and aerospace innovation. By integrating Sharang Shakti’s robotics and defence systems expertise, LAT Aerospace positions itself as a dual-use technology platform serving both regional air mobility and indigenous defence requirements.
If executed with capital discipline and technical depth, this integration could place LAT Aerospace among the emerging cohort of Indian firms building sovereign aerospace and defence capabilities.
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