Zen Technologies Expects Drones To be 'Very Big Business', Launches Airborne Killer Drone

Zen Technologies Ltd. has unveiled its latest innovation, an airborne killer drone system, at Aero India 2025. This new system, which boasts vertical take-off capabilities and does not require a runway for landing, is completely indigenously made.

“We are unveiling it here for the first time at Aero India,” said Ashok Atluri, chairman and managing director of Zen Technologies.

Atluri shared insights into the company’s journey and the opportunities in the drone market. “We started in 1993, and we think of ourselves as an IP defence player. Our journey has been very rewarding, especially in the last 10 years. The government has floated policies like IDDM, allowing single vendors. This policy encourages players like us to develop more and reinvest more. We have also introduced more products,” he said.

Atluri highlighted the company’s strong order book, stating, “60% of our order book is simulators. The last order book for Q2 was Rs 950 crore, so that order will be executed this year and next year.”

Discussing the potential of the drone market, Atluri emphasised its vast opportunities. “It is a multi-billion dollar opportunity...drones have different kinds of applications, including attack drones. Depending on the usage, it is a large market."

"The war has completely shifted from conventional warfare to drone warfare, a shift as significant as from sword fights to gun fights," he added.

Looking ahead, Atluri expressed optimism about the future of drones for Zen Technologies. “Next year onwards, drones will be a very big business for us,” he stated.

“In terms of our consumers, both the Government of India and the international market are our purchasers, but the Government of India is encouraging us more to export...it is a good indicator," Atluri said.

He also noted that “anti-drone systems comprise 40% of our order book,” underscoring the company’s significant presence in this sector.