Indian Army Integrates Upgraded L-70 Air Defence Guns with Indigenous DIWAR Drone Jamming System

In a major step towards bolstering its counter-drone warfare capabilities, the Indian Army has successfully integrated its upgraded Bofors L-70 air defence guns with the indigenously developed DIWAR all-band drone jammer, manufactured by Bengaluru-based AvGarde Systems. The move marks a crucial milestone in the modernization of India’s low-altitude air defence systems, especially against the growing threat of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and drone swarms.

A Powerful Synergy: Hard-Kill Meets Soft-Kill

The modernised 40 mm L-70 guns, which have served the Indian Army since the 1960s, have undergone a series of upgrades to make them suitable for modern combat. These include new electric drives for faster response, digital fire control systems, and electro-optical tracking for all-weather, day-and-night operations. The addition of a drone jammer elevates the system from being a purely kinetic asset to a layered, hybrid defence platform.

The DIWAR jammer complements the L-70 gun by providing electronic disruption capabilities. It can jam signals across multiple frequency bands commonly used by commercial and military drones, including 433 MHz, 900 MHz, 2.4 GHz, and 5.8 GHz, along with navigation systems like GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, and BeiDou. This gives it the ability to interrupt drone communications, disable GPS-based navigation, or even spoof signals to misguide intruding UAVs.

Specifications 

L-70 Upgraded Gun System:

• Calibre: 40 mm

• Rate of Fire: 240–330 rounds per minute

• Effective Range: Up to 4 km

• Features: Digital fire control, EO/IR sights, automated target tracking

DIWAR All-Band Drone Jammer:

• Frequency Bands Covered: 433 MHz, 900 MHz, 2.4 GHz, 5.8 GHz, GNSS bands

• Jamming Range: 1–2 km (environment dependent)

• Capabilities: GPS spoofing, frequency hopping disruption, AI-based drone classification

• Mounting: Ground-based or vehicle-integrated

• Power: Low-power, ruggedized for battlefield use

Operational Impact

This integration allows the Indian Army to deploy a two-layer defence system: the drone jammer to disable or mislead hostile drones (soft kill), and the L-70 gun to destroy drones that breach the jamming layer (hard kill). This is particularly crucial along sensitive borders and in conflict zones where drones are increasingly used for surveillance, logistics, and even attacks.

The system has reportedly performed well during recent field trials and limited deployments, showcasing its ability to counter both individual drones and swarms, including those using frequency-hopping or autonomous navigation techniques.

Strategic Significance

The Indian Army’s focus on combining time-tested artillery systems with cutting-edge indigenous electronic warfare tools is part of a broader strategy to counter asymmetric threats. With increased drone activity along the western border and rising incidents of UAV intrusions, this integrated solution provides a fast-deployable and cost-effective response.

It also reflects India’s push towards self-reliance in defence technology, leveraging private sector innovation to deliver operationally relevant solutions for modern battlefield challenges.

By integrating the upgraded L-70 air defence guns with the DIWAR all-band drone jammer, the Indian Army has created a smart, layered counter-UAS solution capable of both neutralizing and destroying enemy drones. This hybrid approach offers greater flexibility, efficiency, and survivability against the evolving threat of drone warfare—demonstrating a successful fusion of legacy systems with next-generation technology.