DRDO’s ADGM-SP: India’s Next-Gen Self-Propelled Air Defence System to Shield Mechanized Forces

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is advancing plans to equip the Indian Army with a state-of-the-art Self-Propelled Air Defence Gun Missile System (ADGM-SP), designed to provide superior protection for mechanized units. Built on the proven Zorawar light tank chassis, this indigenous system will integrate a dual 30mm gun system with DRDO’s Very Short-Range Air Defence System (VSHORADS) missiles, enhancing the Army’s capability to counter modern aerial threats, including drones, helicopters, and low-flying aircraft.

A Strategic Air Defence Upgrade

The Indian Army has long sought a mobile air defence solution to protect its armored formations, particularly in high-altitude regions and along the borders with China and Pakistan. The ADGM-SP emerges as a response to this requirement, leveraging the mobility and adaptability of the Zorawar light tank, a 25-ton platform co-developed by DRDO and Larsen & Toubro (L&T).

Zorawar, tested successfully in Ladakh in 2024, has demonstrated high-altitude performance, making it a natural choice for DRDO’s new air defence platform. By using a familiar and battle-tested chassis, DRDO aims to expedite development while ensuring cost efficiency. The system aligns with India's "Atmanirbhar Bharat" vision, reducing dependency on foreign-made air defence systems like Russia’s Pantsir-S1 or South Korea’s K30 Biho Hybrid, which India has previously evaluated.

Cutting-Edge Features of ADGM-SP

The ADGM-SP is envisioned to deliver a lethal mix of firepower, precision tracking, and rapid response capabilities. Key features include:

• Twin 30mm Automatic Guns – Capable of rapid-fire engagement against low-altitude aerial threats, these guns form the first line of defence.
• VSHORADS Missile Integration – DRDO’s laser-guided VSHORADS system, tested successfully in 2022, enhances engagement range and effectiveness against high-speed targets like drones and attack helicopters.
• 3D Acquisition & Fire Control Radar – Featuring an AESA-based radar with digital beam-forming and Track While Scan (TWS) capability, this system ensures effective detection and tracking of aerial threats even in electronically contested environments.
• Electro-Optical Fire Control System (EOFCS) – Equipped with a thermal imaging sight and optical sight, the EOFCS enables target tracking in all weather conditions, day and night.
• Fire Control Computer (FCC) – Integrates radar and optical data, seamlessly switching between gun and missile engagement modes for optimized response.
• Dual-Mode Engagement – The system can operate using either Fire Control Radar or EOFCS, offering flexibility in diverse combat scenarios.

This integration of guns, missiles, and advanced sensors ensures that the ADGM-SP can counter threats ranging from drone swarms to precision-guided munitions, offering robust protection to mechanized formations.

Development Roadmap and Deployment Timeline

If approved by the Indian Army, DRDO aims to deliver a prototype within 18 months, targeting mid-2026. The accelerated timeline is feasible due to the reliance on proven components such as the Zorawar platform, VSHORADS missiles, and radar/EOFCS technologies from existing programs like Akash.

However, full production clearance is expected to take longer, with rigorous field trials required to validate the system’s effectiveness across different terrains—mountains, deserts, and plains. Given the complexity of integrating multiple subsystems, the ADGM-SP’s induction into service could extend beyond 2029.

The system’s development marks a major step in India’s self-reliance in air defence technology, offering a tailored, cost-effective solution to protect the Army’s armored assets while reinforcing India's high-altitude defence capabilities. If successful, the ADGM-SP could set a new benchmark for self-propelled air defence systems in the region.