HPCL Partners with Maraal Aerospace to Develop Solar-Powered Long-Endurance Drones at IEW 2026

Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) has entered into a Share Subscription and Shareholders Agreement (SSSHA) with IIT Kanpur–incubated deep-tech startup Maraal Aerospace at India Energy Week (IEW) 2026 in Goa, marking a significant step toward strengthening India’s clean-energy and aerospace innovation ecosystem.

The agreement was executed on January 29, 2026, under HPCL’s Startup Support Initiative HP Udgam, through which the Maharatna PSU will invest ₹2 crore in Maraal Aerospace. The investment will support product development, testing and system validation, enabling faster product realisation and scale-up.

Maraal Aerospace is currently developing India’s first solar-powered long-endurance unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) powered by clean-energy propulsion. The platform combines high-efficiency aerodynamics with solar-assisted electric propulsion and is designed to offer up to 12 hours of endurance, a 150-kilometre one-way operational range, and a service ceiling of up to 6 kilometres above mean sea level. The drone is expected to operate with low costs while reducing logistical dependence.

The UAV platform is aimed at strengthening India’s defence and critical civilian capabilities, including border and maritime surveillance, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) missions, infrastructure and asset inspection, and disaster management operations.

The company’s future roadmap includes a Solar–Hydrogen hybrid variant targeting 24-hour endurance, followed by the development of a High Altitude Pseudo Satellite (HAPS) platform capable of undertaking missions exceeding 90 days.

Through this strategic partnership, HPCL reiterated its commitment to promoting indigenous innovation in clean energy and deep-tech startups, while supporting emerging technologies that align with India’s energy transition and self-reliance goals.