Bengaluru: As modern warfare increasingly relies on unmanned systems, Bengaluru-based defence startup Zulu Defence is emerging as a key player in India’s drive to develop indigenous military drone technology.
Founded in October 2023 by Rajagopal Sethauram and Nagendran Kandasamy, the company focuses exclusively on defence applications, supplying tactical unmanned systems to armed forces rather than commercial customers.
Building drones for modern battlefields
Zulu Defence develops portable unmanned platforms designed for reconnaissance and precision strike missions in electronically contested environments where GPS signals may be jammed.
Its flagship products include HOVERBEE, a hovering reconnaissance and strike platform, and DRAP (Directed Reconnaissance and Attack Platform), which the company describes as India’s first indigenous hovering loitering munition capable of combining surveillance with precision attack.
In May 2026, the startup also unveiled a multi-barrel launcher capable of deploying multiple unmanned systems simultaneously or in sequence, enhancing battlefield flexibility.
Trials with Indian forces and export success
According to the company, its systems have undergone field evaluations with units of the Indian Army and the Indian Navy’s Marine Commando Force (MARCOS), where they reportedly performed well and were recommended for service acceptance.
Zulu Defence has also secured an international breakthrough, receiving a procurement order for its DRAP platform from the Netherlands Special Forces. The company has since begun exporting its products to other markets in Europe and West Asia.
Supporting India’s defence manufacturing ambitions
The startup reported annual revenue of approximately ₹9.3 crore as of March 2025 and has raised nearly $987,000 in early-stage funding from investors including Finvolve, India Accelerator and Indusbridge Ventures.
To meet growing demand, Zulu Defence has expanded its manufacturing facility in Bengaluru as it transitions from prototype development to large-scale production.
With India’s increasing emphasis on self-reliance in defence manufacturing and indigenous technology, startups like Zulu Defence are playing an important role in strengthening the country’s defence capabilities while reducing dependence on imported military equipment.