: DRDO Successfully Tests High-Power Microwave Weapon, Disables 4 Swarm of Drones at 1 km Range

Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has successfully tested a High-Power Microwave (HPM) system that was able to disable a swarm of four drones at a distance of 1 kilometer. This marks a significant leap in India’s counter-drone and electronic warfare capabilities.

The test, recently conducted as part of DRDO's ongoing trials of advanced defence systems, demonstrated how HPM radiation can be used as a non-kinetic method to neutralize hostile drones, especially those flying in coordinated swarms. The drones used in the demonstration were DJI Tello, a common small quadcopter, and all four were simultaneously disabled by a single pulse of high-powered microwave energy.

What the System Includes

A close analysis of the image from the test site and technical documentation on display reveals several key details about the system:

• A large 3-meter diameter directional microwave antenna is mounted on a military-grade mobile platform, allowing deployment in operational environments.

• The HPM container houses the core energy generation and control systems, while an auxiliary vehicle likely supports power management and system control.

• The S-band frequency is used, which is effective for targeting electronic components in drones.

• Peak output power reaches into the hundreds of megawatts, enough to burn out drone circuitry instantly.

• Pulse width: 20 nanoseconds

• Burst interval: 2 seconds ON, 5 minutes OFF

• Pulse Repetition Frequency (PRF): Adjustable from single shot up to 500 Hz

These characteristics enable the HPM system to deliver intense bursts of microwave energy in short, focused intervals, ideal for surgical strikes against small UAVs and electronic systems.

Strategic Significance

The ability to disable multiple drones simultaneously at such a range is particularly important in today’s battlefield scenarios where low-cost drone swarms are increasingly used by both state and non-state actors. These drones can carry explosives, conduct reconnaissance, or jam communication systems. Traditional kinetic weapons (like guns or missiles) are often expensive or inefficient against swarms. But an HPM system offers a cost-effective, reusable, and rapid-response alternative.

This successful test also reinforces India’s push for indigenous defence technologies. The HPM system appears to have been developed entirely by DRDO and associated Indian defence labs, in line with the 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat' (self-reliant India) initiative. While similar technologies are being developed by countries like the US, China, and Russia, DRDO’s achievement demonstrates that India is now entering this elite league of directed-energy weapons developers.

Potential Deployments

Such systems could be deployed to:

• Protect vital installations like military bases, airfields, or power stations.

• Secure high-profile events or convoys from drone-based threats.

• Provide frontline protection during active military operations, especially in anti-infiltration scenarios near borders.

In addition to drones, HPM systems can also target communication equipment, vehicle electronics, and radar systems, making them highly versatile.

This successful HPM test showcases the future of warfare, where non-lethal, energy-based weapons will play a larger role in defending against increasingly sophisticated threats. With this, DRDO has taken another significant step in ensuring India’s technological edge in modern and asymmetric warfare scenarios.