NEW DELHI : Gurugram-based defense technology company Armory Shield Private Limited has cleared technical trials and secured the L-1 (lowest bidder) position in the Indian Army’s procurement program for 45 Hand-Held Anti-Drone Systems. The company achieved the position with its flagship Counter-Unmanned Aerial System (CUAS), branded as SURGE (Hand Held).
The procurement is being undertaken for the supply of 45 man-portable counter-drone systems intended for tactical deployment by frontline units. The program falls under a targeted acquisition initiative aimed at strengthening localized and rapid-response countermeasures against unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) threats.
Procurement and Technical Evaluation
According to procurement procedures, the systems underwent comprehensive technical and field trials to validate performance against the Indian Army’s qualitative requirements. These evaluations assessed detection capability, jamming effectiveness, operational reliability, environmental durability, and deployment readiness under varied conditions.
Following successful completion of the technical evaluation phase, Armory Shield secured the L-1 position in the commercial bidding process, placing the company in line for final contract award subject to procedural clearances.
System Overview: SURGE (Hand Held) CUAS
The SURGE (Hand Held) is designed as a modular, man-portable counter-drone solution capable of detecting and neutralizing hostile UAVs. The system integrates passive detection technologies, configurable electronic countermeasures, and an AI-enabled operating framework.
Deployment Capability
The unit is engineered for rapid tactical activation and can be unpacked and deployed in under one minute. Its compact form factor allows personnel to carry and operate the system during mobile operations.
Passive RF Detection
SURGE employs passive radio frequency (RF) detection to identify unauthorized drones, including commercially available UAVs, improvised DIY builds, and hostile electronic jamming equipment. The passive detection architecture allows the system to scan for RF emissions without generating a detectable radar signature.
The detection module is designed to identify communication links between drones and their operators within seconds, enabling early threat classification.
Electronic Countermeasures
The system includes configurable electronic jamming functions. Operators can:
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Jam specific frequency bands used for drone communication.
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Disrupt a broader RF spectrum when required.
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Spoof GPS/GNSS signals to interfere with a drone’s navigation and positioning systems.
These capabilities allow the operator to sever the connection between the UAV and its controller or disrupt satellite-based navigation, depending on mission requirements.
Samaritan OS Integration
The hardware platform is integrated with a proprietary operating system known as “Samaritan OS.” The system is based on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) algorithms designed to:
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Scan surrounding RF environments continuously.
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Detect faint RF signal movements.
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Classify potential threats in real time.
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Provide configurable heads-up alerts to the operator.
The AI-driven classification enables operators to differentiate between routine RF activity and potentially hostile drone communications.
Continuous Learning Threat Library
The system incorporates a continuously updated threat library. Through periodic updates, the CUAS platform learns new RF signatures, communication patterns, and drone technologies. This adaptive framework is intended to maintain relevance against evolving UAV designs and operating protocols.
Modular and Scalable Hardware
While primarily configured as a hand-held, man-portable system, SURGE’s hardware architecture supports modular deployment. The system can be mounted on tripods, poles, or vehicles based on operational requirements. This flexibility allows the same platform to be used in mobile patrol roles or semi-static defensive positions.
Indigenous Development and Company Background
Armory Shield Private Limited was founded in 2024 by IIT-Bombay alumnus Amardeep Singh. The company focuses on indigenous research and development in radio frequency systems, artificial intelligence, and embedded hardware platforms.
The SURGE CUAS product line was developed entirely in-house, from concept stage to operational prototype, within a six-month development cycle. The company’s development approach integrates RF engineering, AI-driven analytics, and embedded system design under a unified architecture.
Alignment with “Make in India”
The company’s progression in the Indian Army’s procurement process aligns with the Ministry of Defence’s “Make in India” initiative, which emphasizes domestic production of critical defense technologies. The initiative seeks to reduce reliance on imported counter-drone and electronic warfare systems by promoting indigenous capabilities in airspace security and RF-based defense technologies.
The induction of 45 hand-held systems, once finalized, is expected to support tactical-level units in addressing emerging UAV threats across operational environments.
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