How a young Belagavi engineer’s passion for flight led to one of India’s most innovative drone companies, now powering the skies with cutting-edge technology for Defence and beyond. So much so, that his large size drones procured by the Indian Army could have been the ones that played a role in some key operations. (Sarus deployed delivery drones for quick operational deployment.)
In the heart of Belagavi, nestled inside the Silver Jubilee Building of the sprawling Visvesvaraya Technological University (VTU) campus, something extraordinary is taking shape. Sleek, futuristic drones—some with wingspans as wide as four meters—sit poised like aircrafts ready for a mission. This is not a sci-fi movie set, but the headquarters of Sarus Aerospace, a rising Indian drone-tech firm with national relevance, born out of a humble bedroom startup.
At the helm of this trailblazing venture is Rahul Patil, an unassuming yet fiercely determined founder whose journey from an aspiring pilot to a drone-tech pioneer is as inspiring as the machines he builds.
A Dream That Took Flight
Rahul, an army child educated at Marathi Vidyaniketan and Jain PU College in Belagavi, always dreamed of becoming a pilot. Back then, with little knowledge of how to enter aviation, a friend’s suggestion to pursue aeronautical engineering opened new skies. He enrolled at Karavali Institute of Technology in Mangaluru and, during his final-year project, discovered the rapidly evolving world of drones. The fascination was instant and profound.
After graduation, Rahul joined Air India in Mumbai as a Junior Technical Officer in the Production Planning Division but the largely administrative role left him yearning for more hands-on work. Stints in Mumbai, Pune, Delhi and then Ahmedabad at an aerospace company followed, where he honed his skills while juggling personal responsibilities and financial hardships. Meanwhile, he also up-skilled himself, which helped him ace the tech edge. But his heart never left Belagavi.
Building Sarus: Bootstrapped and Belagavi-Born
Despite attractive offers from other cities and people offering him all the resources to start from Gujarat and Pune, Rahul registered Sarus Aerospace with a Belagavi address. Even while working full-time, he would regularly set aside part of his salary to buy drone components. Piece by piece, he assembled his first drone—custom-built with features few competitors offered. When he fell short of ₹2 lakhs to complete it, a former boss from his Air India days and colleague loaned him the amount, convinced by Rahul’s zeal and dedication.
The initial client didn’t show up for the demo. Unfazed, Rahul approached banks, secured his first loan, paid off his lenders within days, and finally landed his first orders from the same client—thanks to a relentless focus on quality and customization. He soon returned to Belagavi and set up a workshop from his home in February 2022.
Operating from his bedroom, clients would walk into his home to witness demos. Word of mouth brought more clients, and by the end of the first year, Sarus had sold over 200 drones and introduced 22 unique applications of drones with deep customization. What’s more, he has also trained 100+ pilot for different applications.
Engineering Excellence with Purpose
Today, Sarus Aerospace builds survey, surveillance, delivery, and defence drones for a wide range of sectors including the Indian Army, DRDO, Navy, and BSF. One model can carry up to 30 kg, fly over 350 km, and stay aloft for 3+ hours. These are no ordinary drones—they take off vertically, then switch to airplane mode mid-air, drastically improving range and efficiency.
In Himalayan terrains, Sarus drones now deliver crucial life-saving medical samples and supplies to remote villages in under an hour—a task that earlier took a full day by road.
Despite no formal marketing, Sarus continues to scale—powered solely by client referrals and performance.
A New Chapter at VTU
Looking for a larger, more professional workspace, Rahul was introduced six months ago, to BeTCA (Belagavi Technology Companies Association). Around the same time, VTU opened its campus to startups. Today, Sarus operates from there in a symbiotic model: the company mentors students and provides internships. Over 96 engineering students are interning there today.
His team of 13, along with passionate interns, are behind some cutting-edge innovations:
• An 8 meter SkyPod tower built for a Goa based client that automates last-mile parcel delivery via drones with OTP-secured vending chutes.
• A thrust bench for drone components—removing the need for real flight testing during manufacturing.
• A ground rover capable of fire-fighting, mine detection, and disposal.
The company is all set to start its Drone Pilot training institute to train young drone enthusiasts who will be certified by DGCA, a crucial requirement today for anyone to fly drones.
The buzz in the lab is electric. Bright young interns credit Rahul for giving them the skills, entrepreneurial attitude and hands-on exposure they never imagined getting at this stage in their careers.
Towards Indigenous InnovationRahul’s next goal? Complete indigenization of drone components. “We rely too much on imports,” he notes, “and it’s time India builds its ecosystem.” Sarus is among the very few Indian drone firms offering this level of customization and sophistication, making it a potential jewel in India’s innovation crown.
A proud BeTCA member, Rahul’s story is a shining example to what’s possible when skill meets grit and a dreams take flight. Sarus Aerospace is more than a business—it’s a beacon for what India’s Tier-2 towns like Belagavi can produce: world-class innovation with heart, hustle, and high-tech excellence.
Rahul can be reached at
https://www.linkedin.com/company/sarus-aerospace/
Email- [email protected]
