![](https://bharatshakti.in/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/LT-BSI-Defence.gif")
Chennai-based Zuppa Geo Navigation Technologies has delivered more than 500 cyber-secure ‘Ajeet’ series drones to the Indian Army over the past three months, marking a significant scale-up of indigenous unmanned systems for frontline use.
The deliveries follow the drones’ certification by the Standardisation Testing and Quality Certification Directorate, which evaluates cybersecurity and reliability standards for electronic systems deployed in sensitive environments. Officials said the certification process for unmanned platforms has been tightened in recent years, mirroring protocols used for surveillance systems such as CCTV networks amid rising concerns over vulnerabilities and hacking risks.
The Ajeet series has been designed with a focus on secure communications and resistance to electronic warfare conditions, alongside operational capabilities suited for military missions. The systems are intended for deployment in environments where jamming, spoofing, and cyber intrusion are persistent threats.
Zuppa’s founder and Managing Director, Sai Pattabiram, said the growing role of drones in combat has made cybersecurity a “mission-critical” requirement, particularly as unmanned platforms increasingly operate in contested electromagnetic environments.
Apart from supplying the drones, the company has also trained Army personnel in their use, including coordinated swarm operations using its indigenous software platform. The aim, officials said, is to enable units to deploy the systems independently in a range of operational scenarios.
The development comes as India steps up efforts to reduce its dependence on imported unmanned systems of Chinese origin and to build secure, locally developed alternatives for defence applications. Industry sources say the emphasis is now shifting beyond performance to include resilience against cyber and electronic warfare threats.
Zuppa said its manufacturing processes align with global aerospace quality standards, enabling rapid scaling of production if required. The company has been positioning its platforms as part of a broader push to strengthen India’s indigenous defence technology base.
Team BharatShakti
