India’s Digantara Raises $50 Million to Build Space-Based Missile Defense Capabilities
Tue Dec 30 2025
Digantara, a Bengaluru-headquartered space surveillance startup, has raised $50 million in a Series B funding round as it expands its capabilities from space situational awareness into space-based missile detection and tracking — a domain increasingly seen as critical to modern defence systems.
The all-equity round saw participation from new investors including 360 ONE Asset, SBI Investment, and entrepreneur Ronnie Screwvala, along with continued backing from existing investors Peak XV Partners and Kalaari Capital.
With this raise, Digantara’s total funding now stands at $64.5 million, more than two years after its $10 million Series A1 round.
From Space Debris Tracking to Missile Detection
Founded in 2020, Digantara originally focused on space situational awareness (SSA) — tracking satellites, debris, and orbital objects to prevent collisions in Earth’s increasingly crowded orbits.
However, global defence priorities are shifting rapidly.
Rising missile launches, satellite jamming, and space-based threats have pushed governments to invest heavily in space-based infrared (IR) early-warning systems, which can detect missile launches far earlier than ground-based radar.
Digantara is now extending its platform to include:
- Mid- and long-wave infrared sensors
- Space-based missile launch detection
- Real-time tracking and analytics powered by proprietary intelligence software
“Given that we already built IR sensors for space surveillance, extending those capabilities to missile tracking was a natural progression,” said Anirudh Sharma, Founder and CEO of Digantara.
Strategic Expansion Into the U.S. Defence Market
Earlier this year, Digantara launched its first surveillance satellite — SCOT (Space Camera for Object Tracking) — aboard SpaceX’s Transporter-12 mission, enabling space-to-space observation.
Shortly after, the company opened an office in Colorado Springs, a major hub for U.S. military and space operations. This move has already translated into tangible defence engagements, including:
- Analytics-as-a-service contracts with U.S. Space Command
- Selection under the Missile Defense Agency’s SHIELD contract vehicle
- Participation in next-generation missile defence programs
According to the company, Digantara has already secured approximately $25 million in contracts.
Split Operations to Meet Defence Regulations
To comply with national security and procurement requirements, Digantara operates a geographically split model:
- United States: Design and manufacturing of larger (100 kg-class) satellites tailored for U.S. defence programs
- India: Core analytics, data processing, SSA operations, and satellite manufacturing
The company currently operates in India, Singapore, and the U.S., and plans to enter Europe by 2026 through a local entity.
Manufacturing Scale-Up and Satellite Roadmap
Digantara runs a 25,000 sq. ft. manufacturing facility in India capable of producing five satellites simultaneously. It has also signed an MoU with the Andhra Pradesh government to build a much larger facility that can manufacture up to 30 satellites at once, expected to be operational next year.
Planned deployments include:
- Electro-optical and lidar satellites for SSA
- Space-based infrared sensors for missile early warning
- Expanded global ground-observatory networks
The company is also exploring laser and lidar technologies that could eventually support interceptor and advanced defence systems.
Aggressive Launch Schedule
Digantara has outlined a rapid launch cadence via SpaceX:
- March – next satellite launch
- June & October – additional launches with multiple satellites
- 15 satellites planned in orbit over the next two years
This constellation is designed to deliver continuous, high-fidelity monitoring for both space safety and defence use cases.
Revenue Growth and Team Expansion
The startup has grown revenues more than 10x over the past two years and is targeting $25–30 million in annual revenue within the next 18 months as government and defence contracts scale.
Digantara currently employs around 125 people, including 80–85 engineers, reflecting its deep engineering and research focus.
Why This Matters
Digantara’s evolution highlights a fundamental shift in global defence strategy: space is now a frontline defence domain.
As missile threats, satellite warfare, and orbital congestion increase, space-based early warning systems are becoming essential national infrastructure. With indigenous manufacturing, global defence contracts, and a rapidly expanding satellite network, Digantara is emerging as one of India’s most strategically important deeptech startups in aerospace and defence.
Final Takeaway
Digantara’s $50 million Series B is more than a funding milestone — it marks India’s growing presence in space-based defence technologies. By moving from orbital safety to missile detection, the company is positioning itself at the intersection of space, security, and geopolitics, where demand is only set to accelerate in the coming decade.
Tue Dec 30 2025
