Gurugram-Based Sharang Shakti Unveils ' vajR ' India’s First Autonomous Hard-Kill Drone Interceptor

In a significant leap forward for India’s indigenous defense capabilities, Gurugram-based deep-tech startup Sharang Shakti has unveiled vajR, a fully autonomous hard-kill drone interceptor system designed to take down hostile UAVs in real-time. This marks one of the first attempts by an Indian private firm to deliver a reusable, AI-enabled kinetic drone defense platform—tailored for modern aerial threats.

At a time when drone incursions pose growing security concerns across borders, vajR stands out with its combination of smart targeting, high-speed interception, and reusability—all developed entirely in India.

A New Breed of Aerial Interceptor

Unlike traditional counter-drone systems that rely on soft-kill methods like jamming or spoofing, vajR is built for kinetic elimination. It launches automatically from a dedicated autonomous hangar, receives targeting data from radar or optical sensors, and then flies toward the hostile drone. Using onboard sensors and neural networks, vajR identifies and locks on to its target in mid-air, before physically colliding with it to neutralize the threat.

This hard-kill approach is especially valuable in high-threat zones where soft-kill techniques may fail due to signal interference or latency.

Key Features and Technology Stack

What makes vajR unique isn’t just its capability—but the indigenous technology under the hood. The system has been designed entirely in-house by Sharang Shakti, from the control software and avionics to the sensor fusion and onboard AI.

• Proprietary Autonomy Engine: At the core of vajR lies Sharang Shakti’s own guidance and control system. It enables precise maneuvering at high speeds, even during complex engagements with agile enemy drones.

• Onboard EO/IR Sensor & ML Models: Once within 50–100 meters of the target, vajR switches from remote guidance to its internal targeting system. Using a forward-looking electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) sensor and a deep learning model trained on thousands of drone profiles, it performs autonomous target recognition, tracking, and engagement.

• Kinetic Kill with Kevlar Protection: Upon target lock, the drone executes a full-speed collision. Critical components are housed in a Kevlar-reinforced dome, allowing vajR to survive and return safely—making it reusable, unlike many interceptors that are destroyed in action.

• Swarming Capability: vajR is designed to operate in coordinated swarms, enabling multiple interceptors to work together against large drone formations.

• Autonomous Hangar: The ground module houses and maintains vajR units. These hangars can autonomously charge, launch, and recover the drones without human intervention—allowing for round-the-clock readiness.

A Mission-Ready Kill Chain

The kill chain begins with the detection of a suspicious aerial object by a radar or an optical system. This data is sent to the vajR ground station, which then deploys the interceptor. During flight, it is guided by an AI-enhanced control system until it switches to its own onboard sensors for terminal guidance.

Notably, the system includes a “human-in-the-loop” safeguard, allowing an operator to abort the mission at any point before impact.

Designed for Indian & Global Battlefields

Sharang Shakti’s broader vision is “from India, for global,” and vajR reflects that ambition. The system is modular, scalable, and has applications across defense, critical infrastructure, and even civilian drone monitoring.

India has seen a surge in drone activity along its borders, including attempts to drop weapons, drugs, or surveillance devices. vajR is a timely solution, offering a rapid-response capability that doesn’t rely on imported tech or fragile communication jammers.

Its integration into India’s multi-layered counter-drone defense—alongside soft-kill systems, radars, and upcoming directed-energy weapons—could dramatically strengthen perimeter security for armed forces, airports, and strategic installations.

A Step Toward Sovereign Drone Defense

The unveiling of vajR is more than just a product launch—it’s a reflection of India’s evolving defense-industrial ecosystem. As a private player, Sharang Shakti represents a new wave of defense tech startups that blend deep engineering with real-world military utility.

With its smart design, indigenous development, and battlefield relevance, vajR could soon become a core part of India’s counter-UAS doctrine.

And in a world where drones are no longer just surveillance tools but potential strike weapons, vajR offers a decisive, homegrown answer—fast, intelligent, and deadly.