Poonawallas back Indian defence tech firm Optimized Solutions
What's the deal? Industrialists Yohan and Michelle PoonawallaDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom → have invested in Optimized Solutions Ltd (OSL)Dealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →, an Indian company that builds strategic electronics for defence, aerospace, space, and critical technologies including nuclear power. The move marks the Poonawalla GroupDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →'s first venture into India's defence sector.
What does OSL do? The company has worked closely with the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)Dealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →, contributing electronics to landmark missions including Mangalyaan and Chandrayaan. It has also supported projects across multiple Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)Dealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom → laboratories and worked on indigenising subsystems for the Indian Army and Air Force.
What's the endgame? OSL plans to move beyond strategic electronics toward building complete satellite platforms in India. Founder and managing director Sandeep Shah said the aim is to become "a significant player in Sovereign Deeptech," deepening R&D and expanding manufacturing.
Why now? India's defence production hit a record US$24.2B in FY 2025–26, while exports reached an all-time high of US$5.22B. The private sector accounted for US$2.36B, or 45.16%, of those exports.
Chairman Yohan PoonawallaDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom → said the sector is "entering an important phase where indigenous technology, advanced engineering and private enterprise will play an increasingly significant role in building long-term capability." He added that the Group sees "significant potential" in OSL's work.
The signal: Rising indigenous production, private-sector participation, and record exports are drawing established industrial families into India's defence and space supply chain — a shift from state-led procurement toward private capital and self-reliance.
Read more: businesstoday.in
Image credit: HawkeyeUK
