Has India Achieved a Breakthrough with the 'Bhargavastra' Counter-Swarm Drone System?

New Delhi, May 14 (NationPress) India has marked a pivotal achievement in its counter-drone capabilities with the successful testing of its low-cost, hard-kill counter-swarm drone system, 'Bhargavastra', at the Seaward Firing Range in Gopalpur on Wednesday. This system met all defined performance benchmarks and is being celebrated as a significant leap in the nation’s ability to neutralise the rising threat posed by drone swarms.

Indigenously developed by Solar Defence and Aerospace Limited (SDAL), 'Bhargavastra' stands out as a formidable addition to India's defence arsenal, especially in safeguarding airspace from unmanned aerial threats.

The micro rockets that constitute the core of the system underwent extensive testing in Gopalpur, successfully achieving all targeted outcomes, indicating a high degree of operational readiness.

On May 13, three distinct trials of the rocket system were conducted in the presence of senior personnel from the Army Air Defence (AAD).

Two of these trials involved launching individual rockets, while the third was executed in salvo mode, firing two rockets within just two seconds.

All four rockets adhered to the required launch specifications, underscoring the system’s solid technological foundation and its ability to counter large-scale drone incursions effectively.

According to SDAL, 'Bhargavastra' provides an integrated and advanced solution to combat the escalating threat from Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), particularly drone swarms.

This system can detect and neutralise small, swiftly moving drones from distances of up to 2.5 km.

It employs unguided micro rockets as its primary defensive layer, engineered to destroy multiple drones within a lethal radius of 20 metres.

For pinpoint strikes, a guided micro-missile — already successfully tested — serves as the second defensive tier, ensuring precise accuracy.

The system is designed to operate effectively across diverse terrains, including high-altitude regions above 5,000 meters.

This design aspect addresses the intricate operational challenges faced by India's armed forces in strategic and rugged areas.

SDAL has underscored the indigenous character of the technology, highlighting the in-house development of both the dedicated rockets and micro-missiles.

'Bhargavastra' is also crafted with modularity, allowing for the integration of a soft-kill layer that could incorporate jamming and spoofing technologies, thus providing a comprehensive and multi-faceted shield against UAV threats.

A significant aspect of 'Bhargavastra' is its seamless compatibility with India's existing network-centric warfare systems.

The counter-drone system features a Command-and-Control Centre that incorporates advanced C4I (Command, Control, Communications, Computers, and Intelligence) technologies.

Its radar systems can detect even minor aerial threats at ranges of 6 to 10 km, while the Electro-Optical/Infrared (EO/IR) sensor suite enhances its capability to accurately identify Low Radar Cross-Section (LRCS) targets.

By offering comprehensive situational awareness, the system empowers operators to respond dynamically, whether confronting a single drone or an entire swarm.

This ability ensures swift assessment and proportional countermeasures, significantly enhancing India's air defence strategy.

SDAL has pointed out the global significance of the system, asserting that while many advanced nations are pursuing similar technologies, a cost-effective, domestically designed multi-layered counter-drone solution with integrated swarm neutralisation like 'Bhargavastra' has yet to be deployed elsewhere.

This successful test firing marks another achievement under the 'Make in India' initiative and showcases the nation's dedication to strengthening indigenous defence manufacturing.

With the addition of 'Bhargavastra', India takes a substantial step forward in securing its airspace and reinforcing its already robust air defence network.