Armory's AI Tech Tackles Rising Global Drone Threats

• Armory's Samaritan OS brings real-time AI adaptability to drone defense.
• India's defense startup boom is backed by $349M+ in funding and Make in India.
• SURGE system proves AI can drastically reduce defense tech development time.

The threat posed by unmanned aerial systems (UAS) has evolved drastically since 1849, when Austria deployed unmanned balloons against Venice. Today, the challenge is more sophisticated, driven by the rapid rise of commercial drones like the Parrot AR Drone (2010) and DJI Phantom (2013).

Recent conflicts in Ukraine and Israel show how even consumer-grade drones can significantly disrupt military operations, overwhelming traditional defenses.

Amid this escalating threat, Indian startup Armory has emerged as a key innovator in counter-UAS (C-UAS) solutions. The global drone market, valued at $32 billion in 2023, is projected to exceed $91 billion by 2030, underscoring the urgency for robust defense technologies. Armory’s AI-first approach, powered by its proprietary Samaritan OS, enables real-time threat adaptation—an essential advancement over older systems vulnerable to drone misclassification and swarming.

India’s defense-tech ecosystem, fueled by government programs like iDEX and Make in India, has grown from zero to over 1,000 companies in just a few years. Defense startups in India raised $349 million since 2019, with deeptech funding doubling to $324 million in early 2025. Armory's founder, Amardeep Singh, previously played a pivotal role at ideaForge, India’s largest drone manufacturer, bringing deep sector expertise.

Also Read: Japan Forms Defense Team to Boost Drone and AI Strategies

Armory’s rapid development of the SURGE system within six months highlights how AI accelerates innovation. Its strategy mirrors Israeli defense leaders like Rafael and Elbit Systems, combining radar, optics, jamming, and kinetic defenses—a model India is fast catching up with.