Partnership
Zuppa, IIT Madras and Air Force sign research MoU
By Startup Enthusiast ·
- Date
- Company
- Zuppa
- What it does
- Defence research tie-up
- Kind
- Partnership
- Based in
- Chennai
- Founded
- 2008
What they do
Zuppa, IIT Madras and the Air Force's 8 Base Repair Depot signed a three-way agreement for joint in-house research
What happened
The work will target defence technology, mixing Zuppa's drone and navigation skills with academic research
Why it matters
The Air Force unit adds operational experience and knowledge of what the field needs
The details
- The tripartite MoU was signed in October 2025.
- It covers joint in-house R&D in defence technology.
- Zuppa brings UAV and navigation expertise.
- IIT Madras brings research; 8 BRD brings field knowledge.
About Zuppa
- Product
- Cyber-secure drones, autopilots, and autonomous navigation systems
- Customers
- The Indian Armed Forces, defense agencies, and commercial enterprises requiring secure unmanned systems
- How it makes money
- Designs, manufactures, and sells indigenous cyber-secure drones, autopilot hardware, and navigation software
- What sets it apart
- Offers entirely homegrown, cyber-secure autopilot and navigation systems that operate without Chinese parts and function in GPS-denied environments
More on Zuppa
- Zuppa to train army drone pilots30 September 2026 · Partnership
- Zuppa plans equity raise of up to $10 million22 September 2026 · Funding · Up to $10 million
- Zuppa delivers over 500 Ajeet drones to Army13 April 2026 · News
- Indian defence tech startups gain momentum after Op Sindoor18 January 2026 · Analysis · ₹43 crore
- Zuppa and IISc set up drone research centre18 December 2025 · Partnership
- Zuppa teams with 3D printer maker on mobile drone units4 November 2025 · Partnership
- Zuppa raises $1.5 million bridge round16 July 2025 · Funding · $1.5 million
- Army opens drone repair lab with Zuppa19 June 2025 · Partnership