Archive · 21 Sep 2026
Indian Army Opens AASHVAST Labs to Screen Drone Firmware
The Indian Army is building special laboratories to check the electronic brains of its drones.
These laboratories are called AASHVAST.
They will inspect both the physical parts and the software inside the drones.
The checks will look for hidden instructions, passwords, or other weaknesses.
Some problems might make a drone stop working in a particular place or at a certain time.
The Army is especially concerned about foreign-made parts that could create security risks.
One lab is already open in Delhi, and five more are planned.
Army CCTV cameras may also be checked in the future.
The Indian Army plans six AASHVAST laboratories nationwide to detect vulnerabilities in military drones.
One lab has been inaugurated in Delhi, while at least five more are planned.
The labs will examine firmware and embedded systems for hidden code, passwords, keys, and remote-access tools.
Testing can identify about 14 vulnerability types, including time-based, location-based, and destination-related malfunctions.
Army-procured CCTV cameras may later be screened for foreign-origin components and proprietary protocols, including those linked to China.
- Who
- The Indian Army, with AASHVAST developed by QuickPay Pvt Ltd for the Directorate General of Electronics and Mechanical Engineers.
- What
- The Army is establishing six AASHVAST labs to inspect drone firmware, embedded systems, and eventually some Army-procured CCTV cameras.
- When
- One laboratory was inaugurated on August 14, 2026; at least five more are planned in the coming months. A related procurement request was issued in April.
- Where
- Across India, beginning with a laboratory in Delhi.
- Why
- To identify vulnerabilities, foreign-origin components, and hidden features that could disrupt military electronics during operations.
- Facility name
- AASHVAST, short for Assessment and Analysis of Electronic Systems Hardware for Vulnerabilities and Security Threats.
- Planned network
- Six laboratories across India.
- Current status
- One lab has been inaugurated in Delhi; at least five more are planned.
- Developer
- QuickPay Pvt Ltd developed the Firmware Analysis and Validation Suite for the Directorate General of Electronics and Mechanical Engineers.
- Initial focus
- Mandatory inspection of Indian Army drones and their firmware and embedded systems.
- Potential expansion
- Army-procured CCTV cameras may later be screened.
- Detection capability
- The system can identify about 14 vulnerability categories, including hidden code, geospatial faults, time-based bugs, and remote-access tools.
