Mumbai-based drone manufacturer ideaForge Technology has secured ₹151 crore in government financial support to develop YETI, a heavy-lift autonomous aerial logistics vehicle designed to transport supplies across difficult terrain. The Technology Development Board (TDB), under the Department of Science and Technology, signed an agreement with the company under the government’s Research Development and Innovation (RDI) Fund on October 14, 2026.
The project has a total estimated cost of ₹302 crore, with the government support provided through debt financing. The initiative aims to advance YETI from Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 4 to TRL 9 through further engineering, integration, testing and validation.
YETI Designed for Heavy-Lift Operations
YETI is being developed as a hybrid unmanned aerial vehicle that combines vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) capabilities with a fixed-wing configuration for longer-range operations.
The platform is designed to carry payloads of up to 200 kg, with a targeted range of up to 200 km and an operating altitude of up to 6,500 metres above mean sea level. Its capabilities are intended to support logistics in high-altitude regions, deserts, offshore locations and other areas where conventional transport can be difficult or unreliable.
The drone is designed to operate from relatively small, unprepared landing areas measuring approximately 15 metres by 15 metres. This could allow it to deliver supplies in locations with limited ground infrastructure.
Technology for Challenging Environments
YETI is being developed with a range of features for autonomous logistics missions. These include redundant propulsion and power systems, navigation capabilities for environments where satellite navigation signals are unavailable, communication links of up to 200 km and swarm-operation capabilities.
The platform is intended to support the transportation of essential supplies to remote locations, including areas where difficult terrain and adverse weather can disrupt road-based logistics. Potential applications include defence logistics, industrial transport, infrastructure projects, offshore operations and disaster response.
Government Push for Indigenous Deep-Tech
The financial support comes under the government’s RDI Fund, which aims to support private-sector research, development and innovation in technology-intensive areas. The programme is intended to help Indian companies take advanced technologies from development towards commercial and operational deployment.
For ideaForge, YETI represents an expansion beyond its established drone business into heavy-lift autonomous aerial logistics. The company is developing the platform to address transport challenges in locations where conventional aircraft or ground vehicles may face operational limitations.
The project also reflects India’s wider push to build domestic capabilities in aerospace engineering, autonomous systems and advanced manufacturing. The platform’s eventual operational use will depend on successful testing, validation and compliance with applicable safety and regulatory requirements.
