A Hyderabad-based defence technology startup has achieved a major milestone in India’s unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) sector. Apollyon Dynamics, a defence-tech startup incubated at the BITS Pilani Hyderabad Campus, has entered the India Book of Records after its electric interceptor drone, Ahuti Mk II, recorded a certified top speed of 498 km/h.
The record was achieved on September 1, 2026, making Ahuti Mk II the fastest multirotor unmanned aerial vehicle recorded in India, according to the information released about the achievement. The drone surpassed the earlier Indian multirotor speed benchmark of 325 km/h.
Ahuti Mk II: India’s Fastest Multirotor Drone
Unlike conventional multirotor drones primarily used for surveillance, photography, mapping or payload delivery, Ahuti Mk II has been designed as a high-speed interceptor drone.
Interceptor UAVs are developed to pursue and counter hostile drones and other aerial threats, including loitering munitions. The high-speed capability of Ahuti Mk II is therefore aimed at applications beyond conventional commercial drone operations.
The achievement also marks a significant improvement over the company’s earlier platform. The original Ahuti, developed in 2025, reportedly reached a speed of around 300 km/h. The Mk II was subsequently redesigned and rebuilt from the ground up in less than a year.
The new platform increased the top speed by approximately 66%, reaching the certified 498 km/h mark.
Apollyon Dynamics and Its Founders
Apollyon Dynamics was founded by Jayant Khatri and Sourya Choudhary. The startup’s early development received support through the BITS Pilani SOLVE programme, under which Khatri’s undergraduate work received a prototype grant of ₹2 lakh.
The record-setting UAV was developed by a technical team that included high-speed drone pilot Aman Virani, known as Shady, along with Manas Vichare and Ishaan Suri.
The company has also developed and fielded unmanned systems for units of the Indian Army, highlighting its focus on defence-oriented drone technology.
Why Multirotor UAV Speed Matters
Multirotor UAVs use multiple rotors to generate lift and provide flight control. Quadcopters, hexacopters and octocopters are among the most common configurations.
While most multirotor drones are designed for relatively low-speed applications, Ahuti Mk II represents a different approach by combining the multirotor configuration with high-speed interceptor capabilities.
The 498 km/h achievement could strengthen India’s growing indigenous ecosystem for defence drones, counter-drone systems and high-speed unmanned platforms.
India’s Growing Defence Drone Ecosystem
The development of Ahuti Mk II comes as Indian startups and technology companies increasingly focus on indigenous unmanned systems for defence and security applications.
Apollyon Dynamics has also outlined an engineering roadmap extending beyond drones, including plans for a high-capacity power cruise missile platform by 2030.
The Ahuti Mk II record highlights the growing role of startups and academic incubation programmes in developing advanced aerospace and defence technologies in India.
Key Facts: Ahuti Mk II
- Developer: Apollyon Dynamics
- Location: Hyderabad
- Incubation: BITS Pilani Hyderabad Campus
- Type: Electric multirotor interceptor UAV
- Certified top speed: 498 km/h
- Earlier Indian multirotor benchmark: 325 km/h
- Original Ahuti speed: Around 300 km/h
- Record: India’s fastest multirotor UAV, according to the India Book of Records
- Record date: September 1, 2026
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