India Tests Indigenous ‘Bhargavastra’ Counter-Drone System Developed by SDAL

In a significant boost to India’s defence capabilities, Solar Defence and Aerospace Limited (SDAL) has successfully developed and tested ‘Bhargavastra’ — an indigenously built, cost-effective hard-kill counter-drone system. The advanced system neutralises drone swarms, particularly in sensitive and high-altitude operational areas.

The system underwent successful field trials on May 13 at the Seaward Firing Range in Gopalpur, in the presence of senior Army Air Defence (AAD) officials. Across three separate trials, ‘Bhargavastra’ demonstrated impressive accuracy and reliability. While the first two trials tested single-rocket firings, the third showcased the system’s salvo mode, firing two rockets within two seconds. All four indigenously developed micro rockets hit their targets, confirming the system's operational readiness.

‘Bhargavastra’ can detect and destroy small unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVS) from up to 2.5 kilometres. It employs a dual-layered defence strategy — the first involving unguided micro rockets with a 20-metre lethal radius for mass drone neutralisation, and the second featuring precision-guided micro missiles for targeting high-value or elusive UAVS. These guided missiles have already proven their effectiveness in earlier independent tests.

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Built with adaptability in mind, the system is suitable for use in varied terrains, including regions above 5,000 metres in altitude. It is also modular and scalable, allowing for the integration of an additional soft-kill layer using jamming and spoofing techniques. This layered defence mechanism ensures a comprehensive shield against UAV threats, catering to the needs of all branches of the Indian armed forces.