India bans military drone makers from using China-made parts

Defence and industry figures say India’s security leaders are worried that intelligence-gathering could be compromised by Chinese-made components

The move complements phased import restrictions on surveillance drones since 2020 and is being implemented through military tenders, documents show

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A technician checks a drone at an unmanned aerial vehicle exhibition in Chennai last year. India’s security leaders are worried that intelligence-gathering could be compromised by Chinese-made parts in drones, sources say. Photo: AFP

Published: 1:03pm, 8 Aug 2023

India in recent months has barred domestic manufacturers of military drones from using components made in China over concerns about security vulnerabilities, according to four defence and industry officials and tender documents.

The measure comes amid tensions between the nuclear-armed neighbours and as New Delhi pursues a military modernisation programme that envisages greater use of unmanned “quadcopters”, long-endurance systems and other autonomous platforms.

But as the nascent Indian industry looks to meet the military’s needs, the defence and industry figures said India’s security leaders were worried that intelligence-gathering could be compromised by Chinese-made parts in drones’ communication functions, cameras, radio transmission and operating software.

Visitors inspect a drone on display at a defence and technology exposition in Chennai, India, last year. Photo: AFP

Three of these people and some of the six other government and industry figures spoke on the condition of anonymity as they were not authorised to talk to the media or because of the topic’s sensitivity. India’s defence ministry did not respond to questions.

India’s approach complements phased import restrictions on surveillance drones since 2020 and is being implemented through military tenders, documents show.

At two meetings in February and March to discuss drone tenders, Indian military officials told potential bidders that equipment or subcomponents from “countries sharing land borders with India will not be acceptable for security reasons”, according to minutes reviewed by reporters. The minutes did not identify the military officials.

One tender document said such subsystems had “security loopholes” that compromised critical military data, and called for vendors to disclose components’ origin.