News Brief
After Hijacking Of Indian Army Drone Near Pakistan Border, Focus On Make-In-India Without Chinese Parts—Zuppa Offers Solution
Drone Incursions along Jammu Border (Representative Image)
Zuppa, an Indian drone manufacturer, has positioned its technology as a secure and reliable alternative to drones built with Chinese components.
The company asserts that its drones, built entirely with indigenous parts, are impervious to hijacking, a risk commonly associated with drones assembled using Chinese technology.
The issue of drone security gained national attention on 23 August, when an Indian Army drone operating near the northern border was reportedly hijacked by Pakistani authorities. Zuppa attributed the vulnerability to the use of Chinese components in the drone’s assembly.
Subsequent investigations revealed that many drones employed by the Indian military incorporated Chinese-made parts, raising significant concerns about their susceptibility to interference.
In response, the government has increasingly emphasised the importance of indigenous drone manufacturing to bolster security. Following the incident, drone procurement was temporarily halted, providing an opportunity for local manufacturers like Zuppa to showcase their technology.
Zuppa’s Founder and Managing Director, Sai Pattabiram, disclosed that the company had earlier alerted the Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Civil Aviation, and National Security Council Secretariat about the risks of relying on drones with Chinese components.
Zuppa’s drones feature critical components, including Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs), manufactured locally. These PCBs incorporate indigenous microprocessor chips, and the company’s software layers and code architecture are proprietary and patented. This approach ensures enhanced security and eliminates dependency on foreign technology.
By prioritising local innovation and manufacturing, Zuppa aims to address vulnerabilities in the drone sector while setting a precedent for India’s self-reliance in advanced technology.
