ZUPPA Geo Navigation Technologies, a Chennai-based leader in drone and navigation solutions, has delivered over 500 STQC Certified cyber-secure ‘Ajeet’ series drones to the Indian Army over the past three months, marking a significant milestone in India’s journey toward self-reliant and secure defence capabilities.

The deployment follows the successful completion of rigorous certification processes aligned with the Indian Army’s cybersecurity framework for unmanned systems. These drones have undergone comprehensive testing by the Standardization Testing and Quality Certification (STQC) Directorate, meeting stringent benchmarks for cybersecurity, reliability, and operational resilience. The certification process for drones closely parallels that required for CCTV cameras, as both aim to address comparable vulnerabilities identified in recent hacking incidents.

At a time when unmanned systems are increasingly central to modern warfare, the focus on secure-by-design technologies has become critical. ZUPPA’s Ajeet series drones are engineered to address these evolving needs, combining robust cybersecurity architecture with high-performance capabilities tailored for defence applications.

“As drones become integral to modern defence strategies, cybersecurity is no longer optional, it is mission-critical,” said founder and MD, ZUPPA Geo Navigation Technologies, Sai Pattabiram. “With the increasing weaponisation of drones, ensuring cyber-secure unmanned systems is essential for safeguarding operations. Our focus has been on building indigenous platforms that are not only high-performing but also resilient, secure, and trusted for deployment in contested EW saturated operational environments.”

Designed and manufactured in India, the Ajeet series offers intuitive controls and operational ease comparable to leading global platforms, enabling frontline personnel to deploy them effectively across a range of mission scenarios. Beyond hardware, ZUPPA has also enabled capability building on the ground, training Indian Army personnel to operate these drones both independently and in coordinated swarm formations using its indigenous ‘Aatmanirbhar Swarm’ software.

This milestone also reflects ZUPPA’s continued focus on building globally benchmarked systems, supported by robust quality and manufacturing frameworks aligned with international aerospace and defence quality standards, including AS9100, ensuring high levels of product safety, risk management and manufacturing process standardisation ensures rapid scalability to meet surge demand requirements by design.