In the heart of Ahmedabad, a quiet yet groundbreaking revolution in defense technology is unfolding. Keshavkant Sharma, an engineer with a vision to protect soldiers’ lives, has created Gati a small but powerful drone that not only delivers grenades with pinpoint accuracy but also returns safely after completing its mission. Built by Sharma’s startup Protthapan, this homegrown innovation is now officially part of the Indian Army’s tactical toolkit. After successful trials at the Pokhran testing range, the Indian Army has placed an order for over 20 units of Gati proof that India's indigenous innovation is ready to reshape modern warfare.

What Makes Gati So Special?

Gati is not just a drone it's a flying soldier with a specific job: to automate the entire grenade deployment process. Traditionally, a soldier must manually remove a grenade's pin, release the lever, and throw it, risking their own safety in the process. Gati removes this danger. The drone carries a grenade up to a range of 7.5 kilometers at a height of 500 meters. While mid-air, it removes the grenade’s pin and releases the lever, triggering detonation exactly at the chosen target. After the explosion, the drone returns safely to its base, ready to be deployed again. It weighs just 2.5 kilograms, but its impact could save countless lives.

Human Inspiration Behind the Machine

Gati’s journey began not in a laboratory, but on the battlefield or more precisely, in the aftermath of Operation Sindoor, a real-life military operation that presented unforeseen challenges for Indian forces. Sharma, driven by concern for frontline soldiers, worked with his team at Protthapan to turn this idea into reality. Behind every wire and motor in Gati is a deep human desire to protect those who protect us.

Tested and Trusted by the Indian Army

The Indian Army does not easily trust new technologies. But Gati’s performance in live testing at the Pokhran range earned instant credibility. Army officials saw the drone fly across rough terrain, hover over targets, release grenades mid-air with precision, and return without a scratch. This wasn't just a proof of concept it was battlefield-ready technology. Sharma’s team demonstrated the drone's full cycle: flying out, performing the complex pin-removal and lever-release operation midair, striking the target with full detonation, and then autonomously flying back. This level of automation and accuracy is rare, especially in such a lightweight model.

The Science Inside Gati

Though Gati looks simple on the outside, it's a marvel of engineering inside. The key components include precision servo mechanisms to handle grenade pin pulling , autonomous flight software for long-distance navigation, payload release automation for midair grenade activation , real-time tracking and return guidance systems. Its technology is compact but smart, perfectly suited to modern, agile warfare. 

For soldiers on the front lines, Gati is more than just a drone; it’s a guardian. In tight or dangerous areas where throwing a grenade manually could cost a life, Gati goes in. It acts swiftly, smartly, and silently. And then it comes back. This simple act of delivering death to enemies and safety to our own could redefine the moral and tactical landscape of combat. Sharma’s creation is a shining example of how homegrown talent can solve local challenges with global relevance. In a time where warfare is rapidly becoming tech-driven, tools like Gati empower India to protect its borders smartly and safely.

Protthapan’s achievement also sends a larger message: India is not just buying technology; it is building it. Gati isn’t just a drone; it’s a symbol. A symbol of hope, courage, innovation, and the will to protect every Indian soldier from unnecessary risk. At just 2.5 kilograms, it carries the weight of a nation’s promise to fight smart and to fight safe.