Garuda Aerospace, Zuppa Partner to Advance Secure Drone Technology

Chennai-based drone company Garuda Aerospace and deep-tech firm Zuppa Geo Navigation Technologies have announced a strategic partnership to advance the development of secure drone technology.  

This collaboration involves an undisclosed investment and product orders, marking a step in strengthening India’s indigenous drone ecosystem, aiming to align with India’s push for self-reliance under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat mission.

— Garuda Aerospace Pvt Ltd (@garuda_india) March 5, 2025

The partnership aims to accelerate the development of next-generation drone solutions while positioning India as a global leader in secure drone technology. 

Agnishwar Jayaprakash, founder and CEO at Garuda Aerospace, said, “This investment aligns with our vision of fostering an Aatmanirbhar Bharat in aerospace and defence.”

Zuppa claims to be one of only seven companies globally that use proprietary deep-tech in secure autopilot systems. Its technology is built on the patented Disseminated Parallel Control Computing (DPCC) architecture, enabling cyber-secure drones free from risks associated with imported components. 

Sai Pattabiram, founder and MD at Zuppa, emphasised the importance of this collaboration. “India has the potential to emerge as a global hub for secure drones by 2030.”

Zuppa specialises in cyber-secure drones and autopilot systems, while Garuda is a player in India’s agriculture and defence drone ecosystems.

The collaboration also leverages Garuda Aerospace’s expertise in financing and market expansion to scale Zuppa’s modular drone platforms across various applications. 

Meanwhile, Venkatesh Sai, co-founder and technical director at Zuppa, described the partnership as “a win-win collaboration”, adding that it sets a precedent for more symbiotic alliances within the Indian drone industry.

Zuppa also recently partnered with TVS Electronics (TVSE) to establish a nationwide network of Level 1 (L1) collection centres, initially launching with 190 centres as part of Phase 1.

These centres will serve as drop-off points for customers seeking servicing for drones. Once dropped off, TVSE will manage the logistics, including transporting the drones to a centralised repair centre. The drones will undergo root-cause analysis, servicing, and repairs before being returned to their owners. 

The Indian drone industry has also witnessed significant developments in recent years, driven by government initiatives and private sector advancements. Regulatory reforms, including The Drone Rules 2021 and the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme, have streamlined operations and incentivised local manufacturing. 

Launching the drone centres of excellence in Odisha and strategic partnerships, such as ideaForge’s collaboration with Vantage Robotics, have further accelerated innovation. 

Skylark Drones, a Bengaluru-based drone company, has also expanded applications in sectors like solar energy, while the Namo Drone Didi scheme has boosted agricultural adoption. While this serves as a stepping point for the drone industry, regulatory delays remain.