India has achieved a major milestone in indigenous defence innovation with the successful test-firing of ‘Bhargavastra’, a low-cost, hard-kill counter-swarm drone system developed by Solar Defence and Aerospace Limited (SDAL). The cutting-edge system is designed to detect, engage, and destroy drone swarms, addressing the growing threat of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) with lethal precision.
The trials were conducted on May 13 at the Seaward Firing Range in Gopalpur under the observation of senior officials from the Army Air Defence (AAD). During the tests, three successful firings were conducted, including a salvo launch of two rockets within two seconds. All rockets met their performance targets, showcasing the system’s advanced capabilities.
‘Bhargavastra’ employs a two-layered hard-kill approach:
- First layer: Unguided micro-rockets with a lethal radius of 20 meters, designed to neutralise swarms up to 2.5 km away.
- Second layer: Guided micro-missiles for pinpoint accuracy, already tested earlier.
Additionally, the system is modular, allowing for the integration of soft-kill options such as jamming and spoofing for a comprehensive counter-drone shield.
Key highlights of the ‘Bhargavastra’ system:
- Operates effectively across diverse terrains, including high-altitude regions above 5,000 meters.
- Features a Command-and-Control Centre equipped with C4I (Command, Control, Communications, Computers, and Intelligence) capabilities.
- Uses radar systems capable of detecting low radar cross-section threats from 6 to 10 km away.
- Includes EO/IR sensor suites for precise tracking and targeting.
- Offers integration with existing network-centric warfare systems and allows configuration of sensors and shooters as per mission needs.
Developers hailed ‘Bhargavastra’ as a globally significant innovation, claiming it to be one of the first modular, multi-layered, cost-effective systems specifically designed for swarm neutralisation—yet to be operationalised elsewhere in the world.
This successful test not only strengthens India’s Air Defence capabilities but also adds momentum to the ‘Make in India’ initiative, marking a progressive step towards self-reliance in critical defence technologies.