Kochi-based startup Fuselage Innovations has secured a ₹1 crore grant under the USHUS Maritime Innovation Support Program, jointly initiated by IIM Kozhikode and Cochin Shipyard Limited in late October 2025. The funding supports the development of their cutting-edge UAV Launch and Recovery System (LARS), designed to enable oscillation-free drone operations from standard cranes in offshore and dynamic maritime environments. This milestone marks significant progress toward deploying indigenous UAV capabilities critical for maritime security and offshore surveillance. The grant ceremony involved key representatives from Cochin Shipyard Limited, underscoring industry-academia collaboration in India’s strategic push for advanced drone technologies. Fuselage Innovations’ work aligns with India’s broader effort to enhance self-reliance in defence and maritime technology, reflecting the strategic imperative to safeguard India’s vast coastline against emerging security challenges. Fuselage’s innovation also holds potential dual-use benefits for civilian maritime applications. The move solidifies Kerala’s growing role in India’s defence technology ecosystem.