Drone startup Garuda Aerospace said Monday it has raised $22 million in what it is billing as the largest Series A funding round ever in the drone space.

Venture capital firm SphitiCap invested $12 million, and other global investors, angel investors and high-net-worth individuals (HNIs) participated in a $5 million round.

Another $5 million from an infrastructure development company, a group of HNIs and angel investors from India, the UAE and Singapore was earlier secured by the drone startup.

“Garuda Aerospace aims to sell 25,000 drones in the next 18 months and looks forward to exporting 10,000 drones to around 100 countries in the next 15 months,” said Founder and CEO Agnishwar Jayaprakash.

Part of the funding will be used for research and development, partnering with global companies in the defence and aerospace sectors to accelerate the growth of advanced drone solutions for the armed forces.

The startup said the funds would also be used to train drone pilots and help create jobs by deepening its footprint in second and third-tier cities.

Garuda Aerospace has a fleet of 400 drones and more than 500 pilots in 26 cities.

Former Indian cricket captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni has invested and serves as the company’s brand ambassador.