New Delhi: According to media reports, in recent months, India has taken steps to prohibit domestic military drone manufacturers from utilising components produced in China due to concerns surrounding security vulnerabilities. This decision comes at a time when India is focusing on enhancing its military capabilities through the utilisation of unmanned quad copters, long-endurance systems, and other autonomous platforms.
However, as the budding Indian drone industry seeks to fulfil the military’s requirements, authorities in the security realm have expressed apprehensions that Chinese-made parts integrated into drones, such as communication functions, cameras, radio transmission, and operating software, could compromise intelligence gathering.
In meetings held in February and March regarding drone procurement, Indian military officials communicated to potential bidders that equipment or subcomponents originating from “countries that share land borders with India” would be deemed unacceptable due to security reasons. Reports reveal that one tender document cited “security loopholes” in such subsystems that could compromise vital military data. Vendors were required to disclose the origin of the components.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been committed to enhancing India’s drone capabilities to counter perceived threats, particularly from China, with whom India has experienced border clashes in recent years. For the fiscal year 2023–24, India has allocated ₹1.6 trillion ($19.77 billion) for military modernization, with 75% of the budget reserved for the domestic industry.
Earlier, in 2019, the U.S. Congress banned the purchase or usage of drones and drone components from China by the Pentagon.
When approached for comment on India’s measures, China’s commerce ministry, which recently introduced export controls on certain drones and drone-related equipment, did not respond.
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