At Wings India 2026, AKSI Aerospace Group announced the debut of its cargo drone, Skyshipper. At the civil aviation exhibition taking place in Hyderabad from January 28 to 31, Shri Samir Kumar Sinha, Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation, launched the platform.
For India’s advanced aerial logistics and cargo drone ecosystem, its official launch is said to mark a significant milestone. Skyshipper is positioned as an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) that is industry-ready for been deployed by commercial, medical, and industrial logistics applications, mentioned the company’s official release.
As part of AKSI Aerospace Group’s Make in India initiative, the Skyshipper was developed under Slatup Cargo, the company’s cargo drone division.
With a maximum take-off weight (MTOW) of roughly 52 kg and a payload capacity of up to 30 kg, the multi-rotor UAV is designed for advanced logistical missions. With a flight duration of up to 45 minutes, it allows for highly efficient extended-range operations.
Constructed with precision-engineered aluminum and aerospace-grade carbon fiber composites from Roboclave Smart AI Composite Technologies, AKSI’s composite manufacturing arm, the platform combines structural strength and lightweight design to ensure reliable performance in demanding operating environments.
The business claims that Skyshipper is outfitted with its in-house developed proprietary KKA Autopilot, which powers flight control and navigation. The platform ensures safe and DGCA-compliant cargo operations with its logistics-mode firmware with geo-fencing, dynamic load-aware flight restrictions, and redundant safety restraints.
The drone is powered by Dual smart lithium-ion battery packs (14S, 40,000 Ah) with real-time telemetry, developed by LiHi Smart Batteries, an AKSI Aerospace Group company. The integrated battery management system enhances flight safety, reliability, and operational predictability, the company said.
He added that cargo drones are expected to play an increasingly important role in strengthening supply chains, enabling faster deliveries, and supporting last-mile connectivity across sectors such as healthcare, e-commerce, infrastructure, and industrial logistics.
With internal capabilities in design, engineering, advanced materials, precision manufacturing, and final integration, AKSI Aerospace Group functions as a vertically integrated UAV manufacturing ecosystem.
The Group is on target to have a turnover of ?20 crore in the current fiscal year and has a combined R&D and manufacturing facility that spans more than one lakh square feet.
Over the next three years, the company plans to invest ?170–200 crore to increase production capacity, bolster research and development, and grow domestic UAV platforms.
With several production plants operating throughout the current fiscal year, ?20 crore of this has already been invested.
By launching Skyshipper, AKSI Aerospace Group hopes to support both domestic deployment and upcoming international opportunities in the next stage of growth in India’s cargo drone business.
Leadership Comments
Commenting on the launch, Pankaj Akula, Group Managing Director, AKSI Aerospace Group, said the Skyshipper reflects the company’s focus on indigenous, end-to-end UAV development.
“Skyshipper represents our vision of building a fully indigenous cargo drone platform that is reliable, scalable, and aligned with India’s regulatory framework. By developing critical technologies such as autopilot systems and smart battery management in-house, we are addressing the core requirements of safety, performance, and operational efficiency for the future of aerial logistics in India,” he said.
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