India sets sights on the sky: Pioneering drone-based quantum communication
New Delhi, May 12: India is turning to drones not just as surveillance tools, but as flying carriers of quantum-encrypted information. In an agreement, the Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT), the country’s foremost telecom R&D arm under the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), has inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Synergy Quantum India Private Limited, a deep-tech firm working at the forefront of quantum technology. The partnership aims to develop drone-based Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) systems, leveraging the decoy-state BB84 protocol with polarisation encoding.
These systems are targeted to operate at Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 6 or above, signalling readiness for real-world testing and deployment.
This collaboration envisions a future where secure communication channels are deployed through unmanned aerial vehicles, particularly useful in situations where rapid, mobile, and secure connectivity is critical—such as military operations, disaster zones, and remote infrastructure. “Drones represent a game-changing platform for deploying secure communication links in dynamic and remote environments, from disaster-hit zones to battlefield command centres,” said Dr. Rajkumar Upadhyay, CEO of C-DOT, during the MoU signing. “By integrating quantum technologies into aerial systems, we are laying the groundwork for a secure, mobile, and resilient telecom infrastructure that is aligned with our national vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat.
The project reflects India’s growing ambition to establish self-reliance in high-end communication technologies, especially those with strategic and defence implications. Drone-based QKD not only enhances secure mobile connectivity but also places India in the select league of nations experimenting with aerial quantum communication. “The skies are the new frontiers for secure data transmission,” said Mr. Jay Oberoi, Founder and CEO of Synergy Quantum India. “With C-DOT’s R&D leadership and our domain expertise in quantum tech, this partnership aims to establish India as a global frontrunner in drone-based quantum communications.” This initiative is not merely about technology, it’s about India claiming technological leadership in a domain that is increasingly vital for national security, strategic autonomy, and digital sovereignty. As India races to secure its digital future, the convergence of quantum cryptography and drone technology may define a new era of airborne, tamper-proof communication networks. The sky is no longer the limit—it’s the launchpad.
