‘Hijack-Proof’ Drones with Zero Chinese Components: Indian Firm Zuppa Sets New Standard for Defence Tech
In a bold move toward bolstering national security and technological self-reliance, Chennai-based drone manufacturer Zuppa Geo Navigation Technologies has claimed that its drones are immune to hijacking due to their 100% indigenous build and complete absence of Chinese components. The company’s statement comes at a time when India’s defence ecosystem is under scrutiny following reports of vulnerabilities in drones linked to Chinese-made parts.
The spotlight turned on the issue after an incident in August last year, when an Indian military drone reportedly crossed the Line of Control (LoC) and landed in Pakistani territory. Investigations suggested that the drone may have been hijacked, raising serious questions about the security of defence-grade drone systems in use by the Indian armed forces. Zuppa has since claimed that Chinese-made components within such drones could be exploited for remote interference, a risk that is completely eliminated in its own product line.
Amid these developments, the Indian government has taken steps to discourage the use of Chinese components in defence technologies. The Department of Defence Production (DDP) had earlier issued a cautionary letter to private defence companies, highlighting the threat of data leaks, surveillance, and cyber vulnerabilities when using parts sourced from Chinese suppliers.
Zuppa, meanwhile, is positioning itself as a key player in the push for ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ (self-reliant India) in defence manufacturing. The company claims to locally produce every major component of its drones, including sensitive hardware such as printed circuit boards (PCBs), which are often imported by other Indian drone manufacturers from China. This not only strengthens security but also ensures tighter control over the production lifecycle.
In a statement to The New Indian Express, Sai Pattabiram, Founder and Managing Director of Zuppa, said the company had warned the Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Civil Aviation, and the National Security Council Secretariat about the looming risks of using drones embedded with foreign technologies, especially those of Chinese origin. “We had flagged the potential for hijacking incidents much earlier. What happened in August could have been prevented,” he remarked.
In addition to raising security concerns, Zuppa has also taken legal steps to protect its innovations. A few weeks ago, the company wrote to the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), seeking a ban on imports from certain Chinese firms accused of violating Zuppa’s intellectual property rights.
The company’s hardline stance underscores a broader shift in India’s defence policy—moving away from foreign dependency and toward strengthening domestic capabilities. With drone warfare and aerial surveillance becoming central to modern military operations, ensuring the integrity and security of these systems is now a top priority.
As more indigenous companies follow Zuppa’s lead in localizing production and avoiding foreign tech, especially from adversarial nations, India may be on its way to creating a more secure and self-reliant defence infrastructure.
