Daijiworld Media Network – New Delhi
New Delhi, May 10: Pakistan is finding it increasingly difficult to breach India's fortified air defence, thanks to a cutting-edge anti-drone shield developed by Indian defence scientists. The indigenous Drone Detect, Deter and Destroy (D4) system—created by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)—has emerged as a critical deterrent against repeated drone strikes launched from across the border.
The D4 system, likened to Israel’s Iron Dome, forms the backbone of India’s response to the rising threat of Turkish-origin drones deployed by Pakistan in swarms along the western front. Using a powerful mix of radar, radio frequency detection, and electro-optical identification tools, the D4 system can detect, track and destroy unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) with precision.
The system employs a dual-layered kill mechanism. Initially, it attempts a "soft kill" through radio frequency jamming, GNSS disruption, and GPS spoofing, confusing the drones’ navigation systems mid-flight. If that fails, it switches to a "hard kill" mode using high-energy laser weapons. The Centre for High Energy Systems and Sciences (CHESS) in Hyderabad has played a pivotal role in developing these directed energy weapons.
"The Indian D4 system is robust, versatile, and effective. It can be mounted on vehicles or fixed installations, offering 360-degree protection even against smaller drones," sources in the defence establishment said. The static version is now widely deployed at critical defence installations, while mobile units are being used in active conflict zones.
Speaking at a Centre for Joint Warfare Studies event in March, Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan had described drones as a game-changer in modern warfare. “UAS (Unmanned Aerial Systems) are transforming warfare with their speed, AI-enabled precision, and disruptive capabilities,” he noted, highlighting India’s strides in developing low-cost yet high-impact countermeasures like the D4.
In a bid to scale up rapidly, DRDO pooled the expertise of multiple labs—LRDE Bengaluru, DLRL Hyderabad, CHESS Hyderabad, and IRDE Dehradun—to build the multi-sensor system. Now produced under the 'Make in India' initiative by Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) and other Indian industries, the D4 system has already been inducted into the Army, Navy, and Air Force.
Security agencies under the Home and Defence ministries have validated its capabilities, and the system has also been showcased to several friendly foreign forces. Its deployment during national events has further demonstrated its value in providing secure airspace amid growing aerial threats.
As Pakistan ramps up drone warfare, hoping to exhaust India’s air defence stocks, the D4 system’s sustainable and reusable counter-drone technology—especially its energy-based weapons—is proving to be a decisive advantage.