Zuppa Geo Navigation Technologies, IIT Madras and the Indian Air Force’s 8 Base Repair Depot (8 BRD) have signed a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate on in-house research and development (iR&D) in defence technologies.

The partnership brings together Zuppa’s expertise in UAVs and navigation systems, IIT Madras’ research and innovation ecosystem, and the operational experience of the IAF’s 8 BRD. The collaboration is aimed at developing indigenous, next-generation solutions to strengthen self-reliance under the Atmanirbhar Bharat vision.

“This MoU represents the convergence of industry innovation, academic excellence and operational defence experience,” said Sai Pattabiram, founder and managing director of Zuppa. “By aligning with IIT Madras and the Indian Air Force, we aim to create UAV and navigation solutions that serve national defence with indigenous strength and global benchmarks.”

The partners will focus on enhancing autonomy, resilience and operational efficiency in defence aviation systems, with technologies adaptable to the evolving needs of the Air Force. The initiative is also expected to accelerate co-creation of advanced solutions that contribute to India’s strategic independence in critical defence domains.

Headquartered in India, Zuppa is a deep-tech drone intelligence company specialising in autonomous aerial platforms and flight control systems, with applications ranging from precision agriculture to AI-driven logistics.

Also Read: Operation Sindoor: A Turning Point in India’s Quest for Technological breakthrough