Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, May 14: In a major leap for India’s air defence capabilities, the country has successfully test-fired its low-cost, hard-kill counter-swarm drone system, ‘Bhargavastra’, at the Seaward Firing Range in Gopalpur. The system, developed by Solar Defence and Aerospace Limited (SDAL), demonstrated full operational readiness by meeting all performance targets during three separate trials conducted on May 13.
The tests included two single rocket launches and one salvo firing, in which two rockets were launched within a span of two seconds. All rockets met their parameters, proving the system’s potential in neutralising large-scale drone incursions.
‘Bhargavastra’ is a multi-layered defensive system aimed at countering the increasing threat posed by unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), particularly drone swarms. Its first line of defence features unguided micro rockets capable of destroying multiple drones within a 20-metre lethal radius up to 2.5 km away. For precision attacks, it also employs a guided micro-missile, which has already passed successful trials.
Key features of the system include:
• High-altitude operability, with functionality above 5,000 metres.
• Indigenous development of both micro-rockets and guided missiles.
• Modular design for future integration of soft-kill measures such as jamming and spoofing.
• Compatibility with India’s existing network-centric warfare systems.
• C4I-powered Command and Control Centre, enabling dynamic, real-time threat evaluation.
• EO/IR sensor suite and radars capable of detecting low radar cross-section (LRCS) threats at ranges of 6–10 km.
SDAL has underscored the system’s global uniqueness, highlighting that while many countries are developing anti-drone systems, no nation has yet deployed an indigenous, cost-effective, multi-layered swarm-neutralisation platform like 'Bhargavastra'.
The test marks a significant milestone under the “Make in India” initiative and bolsters India’s preparedness against evolving aerial threats, especially in strategic and high-risk regions. With ‘Bhargavastra’ added to its arsenal, India takes a crucial step in reinforcing national airspace security against modern warfare technologies.