Archive · 11 Sep 2026
Defence Startups Face Talent Shortage Despite Rising Funding and Demand
Apollyon Dynamics is an Indian company that builds technology for the military.
The company says finding skilled workers is harder than finding money.
Its projects need people who understand drones, engines, computer systems and aircraft design.
Training these workers can take a long time.
Apollyon was started in May 2025 by two BITS Pilani Hyderabad students.
It says its systems are now helping the Indian Army at eight locations.
The company has grown from making small drones to developing more advanced aircraft.
Its co-founder is attending a major defence exhibition in Poland to explore technology and partnerships.
Apollyon Dynamics says specialised talent, rather than capital, is its biggest challenge.
The Hyderabad startup was founded in May 2025 by Jayant Khatri and Sourya Choudhary.
Apollyon says it secured its first Jammu deployment within seven months of incorporation.
Its systems now support the Indian Army at eight stations, including Chandimandir, Ranchi, Secunderabad and Arunachal Pradesh.
The company is expanding from drones and field systems into electric interceptors and jet-powered uncrewed aircraft.
- Who
- Hyderabad-based defence startup Apollyon Dynamics, co-founded by Jayant Khatri and Sourya Choudhary.
- What
- The company says specialised engineering talent is a bigger hurdle than funding as it expands its defence technology business.
- When
- Apollyon was founded in May 2025 and says it achieved its first deployment within seven months; Khatri is currently attending MSPO.
- Where
- The company is based in Hyderabad, with systems supporting the Indian Army at eight stations, including Jammu and locations such as Chandimandir, Ranchi, Secunderabad and Arunachal Pradesh. MSPO is being held in Kielce, Poland.
- Why
- Defence and aerospace systems require specialised skills in propulsion, autonomous systems, embedded electronics and advanced airframes, but the available talent pool is limited.
- Company
- Apollyon Dynamics
- Founders
- Jayant Khatri and Sourya Choudhary
- Founded
- May 2025
- First deployment
- Jammu, within seven months of incorporation
- Army support
- Systems deployed at eight stations
- Technology portfolio
- FPV drones, field support systems, the Ahuti electric interceptor and the Nightshade family of jet-powered uncrewed aircraft
- International event
- MSPO in Kielce, Poland