• Eyes Aerospace, Anti-Drone and Simulator Collaborations at Aeromart Hyderabad 2026
  • Showcases Capability, Collaboration and Future Warfare Readiness
  • Acquires ARI Labs for Naval Simulators

 By Sangeeta Saxena

 Hyderabad. 03 July 2026. At Aeromart Hyderabad 2026, where aerospace, defence and technology companies converged for B2B engagements and future collaborations, Zen Technologies marked its presence with a clear message — it is not merely displaying products, but showcasing capability. In an exclusive interaction with Aviation & Defence Universe (ADU), Brig. Ali Adil Mahmood (Retd.), Vice President, Zen Technologies, spoke on the company’s anti-drone systems, simulators, live ranges, operational systems, aircraft simulator ambitions, naval training capability and the growing need to prepare the armed forces for future warfare.

ADU. We are here at Aeromart Hyderabad 2026, and Zen Technologies has a strong presence. What are you showcasing here?

Brig. Ali Adil Mahmood (Retd.). In this particular Aeromart, this is basically a B2B forum for meeting other companies. So, here we have only kept a few products. We are not actually showcasing any product per se, but we are showcasing the capability. We have a product which is the anti-drone system, one of our prime products which we offer. We also have simulators. We had shown one of our latest simulators in which we have the sniper rifle and the rocket launcher. Live ranges is a great requirement these days for everyone, especially for practice and training.

ADU. Since Aeromart is largely an aerospace and aviation-focused platform, how does Zen Technologies fit into this ecosystem?

Brig. Ali Adil Mahmood (Retd.). As I mentioned, this is a forum for the aviation industry mainly. So, here we are basically to link up with other like-minded companies so that we are able to take forward various collaborations. There are many places where we can find common ground. The industries have a lot of overlap. There are many places where we can help the aerospace industries. There are many places where we get some help from them for our specific line of products.

ADU. You spoke about ranges. Training ranges are becoming increasingly important for armed forces and security agencies. How does Zen see this requirement?

Brig. Ali Adil Mahmood (Retd.). Range also is a part of a lot of training activities, he said, explaining that such systems are relevant not only for the armed forces but also for other security organisations. Zen, he said, has been engaging with this requirement through its training and simulation solutions.

ADU. Zen is known for anti-drone systems. Is this now becoming a larger operational area for the company?

Brig. Ali Adil Mahmood (Retd.). The specific line of product is not only the anti-drone system that we are looking at, but we are now getting into operational systems especially for the army, that is the armed forces, army in particular.We have to have this coverage over multiple types of units. So, this anti-drone is just one element. There are many other layers of protection which are required by the armed forces.

ADU. So, Zen’s presence in aerospace is not a completely new direction?

Brig. Ali Adil Mahmood (Retd.). No, it’s not. By and large, it’s been there. We are present in air shows also because these days, in the aerial threat, the drones have become very critical.

ADU. Is Zen Technologies also looking at aircraft simulators?

Brig. Ali Adil Mahmood (Retd.). We are also now bidding for making aircraft simulators. These aircraft simulators are a work in progress. Let us see how it works out. We have the expertise to do the aircraft simulators but that is something that requires close coordination with the OEM. Our dealing is currently with the OEM so that we are able to establish the collaboration and thereafter we will be able to make aircraft simulators.

ADU. There is strong global competition in simulators. How does Zen view this?

Brig. Ali Adil Mahmood (Retd.). We have tough competition but we thrive on competition. India’s policy environment, including Make in India and IDDM, along with the rise of the Global South, gives Indian companies a strategic advantage. India by itself is a big market, but the complete Asian and African market is very well within the reach of India and India can be a preferred partner to foreign OEMs for certain products like simulators. We are sitting at a prime location in the region of Asia Pacific and Africa. So, in this region, we have an advantage and the foreign OEMs recognise that and they are looking for partners and we are a primary choice.

ADU. Would this also include simulators for new aircraft and helicopter platforms?

Brig. Ali Adil Mahmood (Retd.). We are now talking about new equipment which is coming in and getting involved in the making of the simulators for the newer equipment. The older equipment is already established. The simulators last for a very long time. It is not something which needs to be replaced often. On helicopters, he clarified, We are talking for both choppers and aircraft.

ADU. Zen has been present at Aeromart earlier too. Does this reflect a broader expansion strategy?

Brig. Ali Adil Mahmood (Retd.). Wherever there is the likelihood of collaboration where we can help or where we can get some help from similar-minded industries, we will be there. It doesn’t matter that we are mainly into land systems or what is displayed here for land systems. The company has already begun holding meetings at Aeromart. Quite a few of them, he said, referring to B2B interactions. Small meetings with companies which have a product which is of our interest or where we have something to offer.

ADU. What about naval systems? Is Zen looking at that domain too?

Brig. Ali Adil Mahmood (Retd.). We have acquired a company ARI Labs Pvt. Ltd.. It is based in Delhi. That’s the leading company in naval simulators. And it’s not only the military naval systems but also shipping. As far as the naval aspect is concerned, we have got it covered.

ADU. Does this mean Zen’s training solutions now touch all services?

Brig. Ali Adil Mahmood (Retd.). We have subsystems in the training academies as well and spans all forces.

ADU. Is Zen also looking at civil aviation simulators?

Brig. Ali Adil Mahmood (Retd.). No. Not as yet.Future opportunities may open if the company’s ongoing aircraft simulator work progresses with OEMs. If that comes through, then in the future it will open the doors for collaboration in the aircraft which are going into the civil aviation sector. Because the OEM is the same. India’s location makes it attractive for OEMs targeting wider regional markets. This region where India is located is ideally placed for Southeast Asia, Africa, Central Asia. For the OEM it makes a lot of sense. That’s why a number of OEMs are also doing part of their manufacturing. Simulators is a natural follow through.

ADU. What would you like to add about Zen Technologies’ larger vision?

Brig. Ali Adil Mahmood (Retd.). Zen is a defence company and our interest is to firstly, as far as the training element is concerned, ensure that whatever products we supply are ideally placed and located to ensure that the trainees get the maximum benefit out of it. We are now increasing our presence in operational systems because we understand very well that the warfare of future is going to be very different and we have to prepare the armed forces to face the threats of the future.

In his words, Prepare for tomorrow’s war with tomorrow’s technology and forget about preparing for tomorrow’s war based on your today’s technology and technology which is already existing. That is where Zen will have a cutting edge over others because we understand this. Zen Technologies’ presence at Aeromart Hyderabad 2026 reflects a company in transition from a training and simulation specialist to a wider defence technology player preparing for future operational requirements. From anti-drone systems and live ranges to aircraft simulators, helicopter platforms, naval training solutions and operational systems, Zen is positioning itself at the intersection of land, air, naval and emerging battlefield technologies. Brig. Ali Adil Mahmood’s message was clear. the wars of tomorrow cannot be fought with yesterday’s thinking, and India’s defence industry must build, collaborate and innovate with future threats firmly in mind.

As told to Sangeeta Saxena