Government Scraps Defence Drone Deals Over Chinese Components
NEW DELHI: In a decisive move to enhance national security, the Indian defence establishment has cancelled three contracts for the procurement of 400 logistics drones due to the presence of Chinese components. This action underscores a growing concern over cybersecurity risks associated with foreign technology in military applications.
Details of the Contracts
The scrapped contracts included 200 medium-altitude, 100 heavy-weight, and 100 light-weight logistics drones, all worth over Rs 230 crore. These drones were intended for deployment along India’s extensive 3,488-km Line of Actual Control with China, especially after the military standoff that began in April 2020.
Cybersecurity Risks
Sources reveal that some Indian companies were using Chinese electronics in their drone manufacturing, posing significant cybersecurity threats. The risk of adversaries gaining control over drones or deploying jamming techniques raises alarms for military operations. Recent operational failures have added urgency to this issue, prompting a reassessment of procurement processes.
Increased Vigilance in Procurement
The defence ministry has mandated stricter checks and comprehensive certifications from drone manufacturers to prevent the inclusion of any Chinese components. Industry bodies like FICCI and CII have been urged to caution their members against such procurements.
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