RRP Group of Companies, known for its unprecedented precision, has state-of-the-art Nano Machining facilities that set industry standards. With a focus on mechanical components boasting an astonishing 1-micron tolerance and optical elements featuring an exquisite 3 nm surface finish, the facility redefines precision engineering. It has also played a pivotal role in space exploration with groundbreaking technology and processes for crafting large telescopic mirrors.
With four patents in Electro Optics already secured and three more in the pipeline, its commitment to intellectual property and innovation is unwavering. The promoter’s vision extends beyond Electro Optics. The company has developed lightweight Drone Cameras, cutting-edge counter-drone systems, and VTOL technologies through the “Make in India” initiative. The Group is not just a set of companies, but the architects of the future.
The Company’s operations include designing and developing medical devices, thermal imaging systems, and night vision devices. Because of its technological expertise, international players have partnered with it to not only supply components of older designs and configurations but also collaborate on technology transfer.
Another flagship vertical of the company is the air purifying device Aerem, which is an apt offering for the present times, where the deteriorating air quality, replete with toxic particles, is rapidly taking a toll on citizens’ health.
To start with, in 1996, Rajendra Chodankar founded a Private Limited firm specializing in Nano Spectrometry, Vacuum Systems, and Elemental Analysis. RRP’s bouquet of offerings includes reflex and thermal sights, AI-based Robotics and Face Recognition, counter-drone systems, and hand-held thermal Imagers.
Rajendra Kamalakant Chodankar, Founder, Promoter, and Chairman of RRP Group of Companies, has been honored with a Certificate of Recognition and Award as one of the Times Exemplary Leaders in the Visionary Entrepreneurs category, showcasing his dynamism.
“I don’t believe in always making the right decisions. Instead, I make decisions and then ensure they turn out right.”
Reflecting India’s evolving role in global defense manufacturing, RRP Group of Companies has announced some exciting developments, including winning significant contracts and collaborating with leading international companies.
Rajendra Chodankar, Founder, Promoter, and Chairman of RRP Group of Companies, is a postgraduate in Inorganic Chemistry from Mumbai University, who was nominated for the Padmashri Award 2021-22. Under his dynamic leadership, the Group has been continuously establishing new milestones.
A visionary, without doubt, he has convincingly demonstrated his skill, administrative abilities, and conviction to dream big and make it happen despite all the hurdles in the world.
The winner of the Excellence in Healthcare Technology Award 2021 credits his mentor, Dr. Anil Kakodkar, former Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission and Padma Vibhushan awardee, who inspired him to work with integrity and dedication and to seek innovative opportunities.
In a brief conversation with Indian Economy & Market, the suave, intelligent, and soft-spoken Rajendra Chodankar shares his insights on recent developments and the company’s future vision. His unwavering enthusiasm is evident when he speaks.
Please briefly let us know the journey so far.
RRP S4E Innovation was founded in 2018 with a clear vision — to strengthen India’s defence ecosystem through indigenous innovation in electro-optics and surveillance technology. What started as a small initiative with a passionate team has now evolved into a recognized defence manufacturing company with ISO 9001 and 14001 certifications, four patents, and a strong R&D base in Navi Mumbai.
Over the years, we’ve developed and deployed a range of advanced solutions, including weapon sights, handheld thermal imagers, and autonomous surveillance systems. Our flagship product, the VIRAJ Long-Range Surveillance System, was successfully deployed during OPERATION SINDOOR, proving its reliability under real-world operational conditions. Today, RRP S4E stands as a proud contributor to India’s “Aatmanirbhar Bharat” vision, driving technological excellence and defence self-reliance.
RRP DEFENCE arm Vimananu Ltd. and CYGR partner to Manufacture Advanced Drones: RRP Defence (RRP GROUP, India), through its dedicated entity “Vimananu Ltd”, and CYGR (Franco-American) have announced a strategic collaboration to set up a drone manufacturing facility under the Make in India initiative. This partnership aims to deliver advanced drone systems designed for tactical, surveillance, and industrial use—leveraging French-American technology and Indian manufacturing capability. The facility will support the production of next-generation drones, including Hand-Launched Fixed Wing Drones – lightweight and portable for field deployment, Nano Drones – compact platforms for close-range and indoor surveillance, and ISR Drones – designed for Intelligence, Surveillance & Reconnaissance. Mr. George El Aily, Director, CYGR France, stated, “Through this collaboration with RRP DEFENCE, we are not only transferring technology but also co-developing future-ready solutions that support India’s defence and surveillance landscape.” This partnership underlines India’s emergence as a global drone hub, backed by strategic international cooperation and indigenous capabilities.
The company has recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Optix Bulgaria, the global pioneers in advanced electro-optics solutions. Please tell us more about this? Any more tie-ups and collaborations in the offing?
Our recent MoU with Optix Bulgaria marks a major milestone in RRP S4E’s growth journey. Optix is a global leader in thermal imaging and electro-optic technologies, and this partnership aims to bring the best of European expertise together with Indian innovation. The collaboration focuses on joint manufacturing, technology transfer, and the development of new-generation optical systems suited for Indian defence requirements.
Beyond this, we already have strategic alliances with Meprolight (Israel) and ESC BAZ (Israel), both recognized globally for their advanced optics and surveillance technologies. These partnerships empower us to integrate world-class innovations while continuing to develop indigenous capabilities in India.
Has any other international player aligned with the company? Do they provide components of the bygone designs and configuration, or have they collaborated for technology transfer?
Yes, in addition to Optix and Meprolight, we have established collaborations with ESC BAZ (Israel) and Optix (Bulgaria). These partnerships are not merely about importing components — they are focused on technology transfer and joint development, ensuring that products are assembled and manufactured in India with full local capability.
Our approach has always been to co-develop technology rather than depend on obsolete configurations. This aligns perfectly with India’s long-term vision of self-reliance in defence production and strengthens our domestic design and manufacturing ecosystem.
What is RRP S4E Innovation’s core area of operations?
RRP S4E Innovation specializes in electro-optical systems, including thermal imaging devices, weapon sights, and surveillance systems. Our focus is to create indigenous, high-performance solutions for the armed forces that reduce dependence on imports while maintaining global quality benchmarks.
Our Electro-Optical Department (EOD) and Research & Development (R&D) Division play a pivotal role in this mission by driving continuous innovation, design optimization, and product enhancement. Through in-house R&D and engineering excellence, we aim to strengthen India’s “Aatmanirbhar Bharat” initiative — offering cost-effective, reliable, and scalable solutions tailored to India’s unique operational environments and defence requirements.
You have a whole bouquet of offerings, such as reflex and thermal sights, AI-based robotics and face recognition, counter-drone systems, and hand-held thermal imagers. Can you throw some light on the demand side? Any plan to increase this basket?
There is a growing demand for advanced electro-optical and AI-integrated systems across the defence and homeland security sectors. The armed forces, paramilitary units, and law enforcement agencies are increasingly seeking real-time situational awareness tools, precision optics, and surveillance systems that enhance operational efficiency and safety.
We are continuously expanding our portfolio to meet these needs — with ongoing R&D in AI-based autonomous systems, next-generation counter-drone solutions, and enhanced fusion imaging technologies. Our focus is not just to meet current demand but to anticipate future requirements of the modern battlefield.
Please brief our readers about DEORC, the Dedicated Electro Optic Repair Centre.
The Dedicated Electro Optic Repair Centre (DEORC) is our specialized facility established to repair, service, and enhance Electro-Optic (EO) systems used across tanks, surveillance platforms, handheld devices, and other defence equipment.
The centre is fully equipped with advanced infrastructure and precision instruments required for comprehensive diagnostics, maintenance, and restoration of EO sights and systems. In the defence sector, the ability to repair and restore existing sights is critical — and DEORC ensures that every piece of equipment is brought back to operational readiness with reliability and accuracy. This initiative not only strengthens India’s self-reliance in maintenance but also significantly reduces turnaround time and dependence on foreign OEMs for repair and calibration services.
You played a crucial role in establishing the unique Nano-Machining facility, the first of its kind in India. How was it accomplished?
Yes, it was the need of the nation and we collaborated closely with a talented team from BARC, combining their technical. It was a genuine collective effort — months of intense research, rigorous experimentation, and countless sleepless nights spanning over six months.
Our perseverance finally paid off when we achieved the desired precision, successfully manufacturing components with 1-micron tolerance. Following this breakthrough, we went on to deliver over 30,000 such high-precision modules, marking a significant in India’s capability to produce advanced components domestically.
Lately, the company has been in the news for the air purifying device Aerem. What percentage does it contribute to the topline?
The Aerem air purification system was developed as part of our diversification into environmental technology, reflecting our engineering versatility. While it remains a smaller segment compared to our core defence operations, it has received a strong market response due to its unique filtration technology.
The geopolitical situation has nearly compelled political establishments worldwide to opt for drone technology. How far has the company initiated its research in this area?
We recognize the critical importance of drone technology in modern warfare and security operations. Our R&D team has already initiated focused development in AI-enabled drone payloads and electro-optical gimbals for surveillance and reconnaissance missions.
This program is being developed in synergy with our sister company, RRP Drones, which specializes in building rugged, weather-resistant UAVs capable of both manual and autonomous operations. We believe this area holds immense potential for future defence and homeland security applications.
“My aim is to leverage our expertise and resources to develop new and advanced technologies that address the evolving needs of the defense industry. By endorsing the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative, we aim to support our armed forces with cutting-edge technology that enhances their capabilities, improves their safety, and helps them achieve their mission objectives.”
What is the size of the order book at present?
At present, our order book stands at around ₹90 crore, and the momentum ahead looks very promising. With several ongoing and upcoming projects in the pipeline, we are confident of crossing the ₹200 crore mark within the next two financial years.
Is RRP S4E planning to leverage its expertise and resources to develop new technologies? Where do you envision the company after 3 years?
Absolutely. Innovation is the foundation of RRP S4E. We are actively investing in AI, advanced optics, and integrated defence systems. Over the next three years, we envision RRP S4E becoming a leading Indian OEM in electro-optics, contributing significantly to national defence exports and global collaborations.
Our goal is to position the company as a technology partner of choice — one that stands for reliability, innovation, and excellence in every aspect of defence manufacturing.
Do you think, as projected sometime back, you will achieve a top line of over Rs 500 crore by this FY?
Oh yes, that has always been our aspiration — a goal we continue to work toward with determination. While we’re not quite there yet, every milestone we achieve is bringing us steadily closer to making that vision a reality.
To provide financial strength to your projects, are you planning to enter the market soon with an Initial Public Offering (IPO)?
We are exploring multiple avenues to strengthen our capital base, including potential strategic investments and partnerships. While an IPO remains a long-term possibility, our current focus is on scaling operations, product innovation, and building a strong balance sheet. Once we achieve the next phase of growth, an IPO will certainly be part of our strategic roadmap.
You have been chosen as a Visionary Entrepreneur. How do you feel about this achievement?
It’s an honor to be recognized as a Visionary Entrepreneur. This achievement reflects the collective effort of our entire RRP team, whose dedication and innovation drive everything we do. Personally, I see it not just as a recognition, but as a responsibility — to continue fostering indigenous technology, empowering young engineers, and strengthening India’s position as a global defence manufacturing hub.
Highlights
- Rajendra Chodankar, Founder, Promoter, and Chairman, played a crucial role in establishing the unique Nano-Machining facility in 2001, the first of its kind in India.
- RRP S4E Innovation is a Company with a core area of operations that includes the design and development of medical devices, thermal imaging systems, and night vision devices.
- RRP S4E Innovations Limited secured an AUD1.73 million order from the Ministry of Defence. The contract was for 101 units of digital spotter scopes, known as the Drishti SS-D60. The order was awarded under Contract No. GEMC-511687719434890, following a competitive bidding process through the Government e-marketplace.
- The Company’s Dedicated Electro Optic Repair Centre (DEORC) is an under-one-roof facility specialising in the repair and upgradation of Electro Optic Systems across a broad spectrum of utility platforms, including combat tanks and portable hand-held devices, among other verticals.
- Its logistics include accepting near-scrap devices, stripping them open, replacing components, refurbishing them with the latest circuits, and infusing the latest, durable, and modern technologies to elevate the unit to a level on par with the best of the competition
