Endurance, Multipurpose UAVs & Hard-Kill Counter-Drone Tech

From Idex Triumphs to Global Ambitions: A Conversation with ZEBU Intelligent Systems
India’s UAV Trailblazers: ZEBU ’s Innovations Take Centre Stage in Dubai

By Sangeeta Saxena

Dubai. 29 November 2025. At the Dubai Airshow’s Inspiration Zone, where cutting-edge ideas converge with global aerospace leaders, ZEBU Intelligent Systems stands out as one of India’s most promising UAV innovators. With three Idex wins and contracts from both the Indian Coast Guard and Indian Air Force, the company is showcasing advanced endurance drones, maritime multicopters and next-generation counter-drone systems.

In this interaction, Banisetty Santosh Balajee, Director of ZEBU Intelligent Systems, speaks with ADU about their technologies, global vision and the importance of cost-effective counter-drone solutions in modern conflict scenarios.

ADU. Santosh, we’re meeting here at the Dubai Airshow in the Inspiration Zone. You’re here as one of the startups selected through Idex. Tell us about your participation.

Banisetty Santosh Balajee. We are a three-time Idex winner, with one contract from the Indian Coast Guard and two from the Indian Air Force. Today we are presenting two of our Idex-supported products along with one of our self-funded innovations.

ADU. Let’s begin with the Coast Guard project. What are you showcasing?

Banisetty Santosh Balajee. The first product is our multi-uplifting multicopter for the Indian Coast Guard. It is a multi-purpose drone designed for maritime operations. It can transfer payloads between ships, support HADR missions by detecting drowning individuals and assist in off-boarding personnel during maritime operations, reducing risk to human operators. It can also deploy fire-suppression balls to contain fires on merchant vessels. This drone has immense value in maritime and rescue operations. We are currently completing certification and will conduct field trials in December.

ADU. You also have a self-funded product called Endurex. What makes it unique?

Banisetty Santosh Balajee. Endurex is the longest-endurance UAV in the world. We currently hold the Guinness World Record with a flight time of 3 hours, 13 minutes and 14 seconds, surpassing the previous record by nearly 50 minutes. That was achieved with our lab prototype. What we are displaying here is the military-grade version, capable of flying for more than two hours with a 30x optical zoom camera, thermal imaging and full ISR capability. It is ideal for surveillance, search and rescue and general security operations. The interest in this platform here at Dubai has been tremendous.

ADU. Your counter-drone innovation is particularly relevant given today’s global conflicts. How does it work?

Banisetty Santosh Balajee. Counter-drone threats are escalating worldwide. We are developing a hard-kill solution that physically neutralises incoming hostile drones. Countries currently use surface-to-air missiles like Akash to counter small drones, which is not economically viable. Each missile shot costs around ₹2.5 crore, while the drone being targeted may cost only ₹20–25 lakh. This drains the arsenal and leaves fewer missiles available for real aircraft threats.

Our solution uses electrically powered UAVs that cruise at 200 km/h and intercept enemy drones with precision. The cost per engagement is under ₹15 lakh, making it far more sustainable for prolonged conflict scenarios. With purpose-built, jamming-resistant drones on the battlefield, physical interception becomes the only reliable method. That is precisely the capability we are building.

ADU. How has the response been at the Dubai Airshow?

Banisetty Santosh Balajee. It has been very encouraging. Footfall increased significantly from the second day onward and we have attracted interest from strategic partners across the UAE and the Middle East. Our endurance UAV Endurex and our counter-drone interceptor are drawing particular attention. Drone threats are a global problem and everyone is looking for an effective solution.

ZEBU Intelligent Systems is positioning itself as a major force in India’s UAV and defence innovation ecosystem. With world-record endurance drones, versatile maritime multicopters and an economical hard-kill counter-drone interceptor, the company is poised for significant global impact. Their showcase at the Dubai Airshow reflects both India’s rising technological stature and ZEBU ’s readiness to expand into international markets. As their Idex-backed systems move toward field deployment and global interest grows, their trajectory in the aerospace and defence sector appears exceptionally promising.