Magellanic Cloud announces $11 million UAV joint venture to boost India’s defence sector

Kinjal — Wed, 29 Apr 2026 06:56:03 +0000

Magellanic Cloud Limited has announced a strategic joint venture worth approximately $11 million (~₹100 crore) aimed at manufacturing advanced Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) systems in India. This initiative aligns with the country’s Make in India vision for the defence sector.

The joint venture involves collaboration with Rayonix Tech, an India-based defence technology company, and XTEND, an Israel-based company specialising in AI-powered robotics, UAV, and software systems. This partnership marks a significant expansion for Magellanic Cloud within the burgeoning defence and security technology industry.

The venture will establish comprehensive manufacturing, testing, and distribution capabilities within India, focusing on meeting the evolving needs of armed forces and security agencies. The UAVs produced will support surveillance, reconnaissance, and other mission-critical operations.

XTEND’s XOS operating system will underpin the UAV systems, providing features such as human-guided autonomy, AI-driven navigation, mission planning, and real-time operational control across multi-domain robotic systems. Magellanic Cloud will serve as XTEND’s exclusive manufacturing and distribution partner in India for selected platforms, facilitating sovereign deployment under a unified software architecture.

The joint venture will cater to the growing demand for advanced UAV systems from India’s defence ecosystem. By leveraging XTEND’s autonomous operating systems and combining them with domestic manufacturing capabilities, the partnership aims to deliver mission-critical drone solutions tailored to Indian operational requirements.

Joseph Sudheer Thumma, Global CEO & MD of Magellanic Cloud, commented on the development, stating that the joint venture represents a defining moment in the company’s mission to revolutionise the defence ecosystem. He highlighted the integration of XTEND’s battle-proven platforms, including the XOS autonomy platform, which will enable seamless multi-platform force coordination and AI-assisted mission execution.

This collaboration strengthens Magellanic Cloud’s presence in drone technologies and intelligent infrastructure solutions, reinforcing its position as a technology-driven enterprise focused on high-growth sectors and future-ready technologies with national relevance.

Disclaimer: This article is based on a regulatory filing submitted to the National Stock Exchange of India (NSE).

Joseph Sudheer Thumma | Business Upturn

Magellanic Cloud announces $11 million UAV joint venture to boost India’s defence sector