MUMBAI: When it comes to innovation, this startup isn’t just flying high, it’s soaring into the nation’s defence hall of fame. Odisha-based aerospace firm BonV Aero has clinched the SIDM Champion Award (Special Jury) under technology/product innovation to address defence capabilities gap, a proud recognition of its indigenous advances in aerial systems.
The award was presented by defence minister Rajnath Singh to BonV Aero co-founder and CEO Satyabrata Satapathy, who dedicated the win to the nation and the armed forces. The Society of Indian Defence Manufacturers (SIDM) instituted the awards to honour excellence in home-grown defence manufacturing and technology breakthroughs.
BonV Aero’s work in high-altitude, heavy-payload, and autonomous aerial systems has drawn national attention for expanding what unmanned aircraft can achieve in India’s tactical and logistics landscapes. The startup’s indigenous propulsion systems, rugged airframes, and self-flying technologies enable these drones to carry heavy loads, operate independently in complex terrains, and adapt to mission-critical defence operations.
As the only Odisha-based startup to receive this recognition, BonV Aero has put the state’s deep-tech ambitions on the national map. The company’s blend of design precision and operational reliability is creating aerospace solutions that are as strategic as they are self-reliant, aligning seamlessly with India’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat vision.
“This recognition from SIDM and the Ministry of Defence is a proud moment not just for BonV Aero, but for Odisha’s entire innovation community,” said Satyabrata Satapathy, adding that the firm’s mission is to “build systems that perform where it matters most, from high-altitude frontiers to rapid-response tactical environments.”
The awards jury, chaired by Satheesh Reddy, former DRDO chairman and scientific adviser to the Defence Minister, featured a distinguished panel including Prahlada Ramarao (padma shri), air marshal Anil Chopra (retd.), vice admiral S.K.N. Ghormade (retd.), and maj gen P.K. Saini (retd.), among others.
Endorsed by defence minister Rajnath Singh, the SIDM Champion Awards continue to highlight the power of collaboration between industry and the armed forces, spotlighting innovation as the new arsenal of modern defence.
With this recognition, BonV Aero has not just lifted off, it’s redefining flight itself, positioning India for a future where indigenous ingenuity leads the way in aerospace and defence technology.