A new low-cost and advanced counter-drone system, ‘Bhargavastra’, has been developed by Solar Defence and Aerospace Limited (SDAL), marking a significant milestone in India’s efforts to neutralise hostile drone swarms through indigenous technology.
The system operates in ‘Hard Kill Mode’ and uses micro rockets to intercept and destroy drones.
These rockets underwent successful trials at the Seaward Firing Range in Gopalpur, Odisha, where they met all testing benchmarks.
On 13 May, three trials were carried out in the presence of senior officials from the Army Air Defence (AAD).
Two rockets were fired individually in separate rounds, followed by a salvo-mode test involving two rockets launched within two seconds.
All four tests achieved the desired launch parameters, demonstrating the effectiveness of the system’s core design in drone engagement.
Dual-Layered Defence Against UAVs
Bhargavastra is designed to eliminate incoming drones at a range of up to 2.5 km.
It features a two-tier kill system—unguided micro rockets form the first layer with a lethal blast radius of 20 meters, and a previously tested guided micro missile provides the second layer for precision strikes.
Built to perform across diverse terrains, including high-altitude areas above 5,000 meters, Bhargavastra meets the operational requirements of the Indian armed forces.
SDAL also stressed the system’s modular nature, which allows for additional ‘soft kill’ layers such as jamming and spoofing.
This layered architecture ensures comprehensive protection for all service branches.
Flexible & Network-Centric
With configurable sensors—including radar, electro-optical (EO), and radio-frequency (RF) receivers—the system can be adapted to specific user needs.
Its modularity supports integrated functioning for tiered air defence (AD) coverage and can engage aerial threats at extended ranges.
Bhargavastra is also built for compatibility with India’s existing network-centric warfare systems.
Its Command-and-Control Centre is equipped with cutting-edge C4I (Command, Control, Communications, Computers, and Intelligence) technology.
The radar detects small drones from 6 to 10 km away, while EO/IR sensors help in identifying drones with low radar signatures, ensuring real-time threat assessment and targeted response.
A Global-Scale Innovation
SDAL highlighted that while similar technologies are being explored internationally, Bhargavastra stands out as a domestically developed, multi-layered and cost-effective system with unique swarm neutralisation capabilities—something yet to be fielded at this scale elsewhere in the world.
The system’s open architecture and adaptability represent a significant leap under the ‘Make in India’ initiative. It reinforces the nation’s defense preparedness and boosts indigenous technological capabilities.
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