Chennai: Garuda Technologies Inc., a US subsidiary of IPO bound Drone Startup Garuda Aerospace, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Extensee SAS, a provider of drone manufacturing and operational services, at Eurosatory 2026 in Paris, France – one of the world’s leading international defence and security exhibitions. The partnership aims to expand the deployment of Airbus Flexrotor unmanned aerial systems through a Drone-as-a-Service (DaaS) model, combining Garuda’s drone technology expertise with Extensee’s operational capabilities to serve civil, industrial, commercial, and governmental missions across global markets.
Under the MoU, the two companies will deploy Airbus Flexrotor UAVs across international markets, leveraging Extensee’s end-to-end operational capabilities, including mission management, flight authorisations, qualified operators and pilots, maintenance support, airworthiness management, safety systems, spare parts management, and technical services to ensure safe and compliant operations. The collaboration will focus on enabling long-range intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), mapping, infrastructure inspection, environmental monitoring, border security, and other commercial and government applications.
Equipped with VTOL (Vertical Take-Off and Landing) capability, autonomous mission execution, and modular payload integration, the Flexrotor weighs approximately 25 kilograms, remains airborne for 12–14 hours and operates from a compact 3.7m x 3.7m launch area. The platform can autonomously take off and land on both land and ships without requiring a conventional flight deck. Its mission capabilities include infrastructure inspection, disaster response, powerline inspection, railway monitoring, pipeline surveillance, maritime operations, and coordinated surveillance missions. Earlier in March 2026, Garuda Aerospace also signed a contract with Airbus Helicopters to acquire 18 Flexrotor Uncrewed Aerial Systems (UAS) as part of its strategy to expand its unmanned aerial systems leasing services portfolio.
Commenting on the partnership, Agnishwar Jayaprakash, Founder and Director, Garuda Aerospace, said, “This collaboration with Extensee marks an important step in expanding the global reach and operational capabilities of the Airbus Flexrotor drones.. By combining Garuda Aerospace’s expertise in advanced drone technology and manufacturing with Extensee’s proven operational excellence, we aim to unlock new opportunities for long-range autonomous missions across civil, industrial, and governmental sectors. Together, we look forward to exploring innovative Drone-as-a-Service solutions that address critical operational challenges and create value globally.”
Jean-Baptiste Olry, President of Extensee SAS, said, “Signing this MoU in Paris, at the heart of Europe’s defence and aerospace ecosystem, is a natural step for Extensee. We have spent years operating unmanned systems for the most demanding institutional and sovereign clients across Europe; from maritime surveillance to public safety missions; and that operational track record is exactly what turns advanced platforms like the Airbus Flexrotor into a dependable, end-to-end service. Our Drone-as-a-Service model lets clients access long-endurance capabilities without bearing the complexity of ownership, airworthiness and mission management. With Garuda, we look forward to bringing that European operational expertise to new markets worldwide.”
The MoU reflects the commitment of both organisations to advancing the adoption of next-generation unmanned aerial systems through strategic collaboration and operational excellence. The company has built strategic partnerships with leading international players such as Thales, Lockheed Martin, and Elbit Systems across drone security, autonomous flight technologies, and advanced unmanned systems.
In India, Garuda Aerospace has expanded its collaborations with key defence and aerospace organisations, including BEL, while exploring opportunities with HAL and BEML. Together, these partnerships reinforce the company’s commitment to advancing indigenous innovation, enhancing technological capabilities, and supporting India’s vision of self-reliance in aerospace and defence technologies. Garuda Aerospace has manufactured and sold over 5000 drones and served more than 500 enterprise and government clients globally.
