India's Advances in Counter-Drone Technology: Leading the Charge Against Aerial Threats

India is making significant strides in counter-drone technology, developing and deploying advanced systems to safeguard its armed forces and critical infrastructure from emerging drone threats.

The conflict in Ukraine has highlighted the increasing relevance of drone warfare, prompting countries worldwide to invest in counter-drone technologies. Drones have proven capable of taking out tanks, artillery, and even individual soldiers, making previously safe areas vulnerable. With affordable thermal imaging and night vision, drones pose a threat day and night, necessitating robust countermeasures.

India has been proactive in addressing this menace. The Indian Navy was among the first to adopt counter-drone technology, purchasing the Israeli SMassh-2000 system in 2020. While effective, this system relied on manual spotting of targets. Recognizing the need for more advanced solutions, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) developed a soft-kill system, which first came to prominence during the 2020 Independence Day celebrations at Red Fort, ensuring the security of the airspace during PM Modi’s speech. This system has since been deployed in high-profile events, including the Modi-Trump roadshow in Ahmedabad.

The June 2021 drone attack on the Jammu Air Force Base underscored the urgency of counter-drone capabilities. In response, the Indian armed forces began deploying anti-drone systems in key locations. The DRDO-developed, BEL-manufactured D4 system is a significant advancement in this field. This versatile system employs both hard kill and soft kill methods to neutralize drones. In hard kill mode, it uses lasers to destroy targets, while its soft kill mode disrupts communication and GPS signals. Equipped with advanced features such as radars and electro-optical systems, the D4 can operate effectively day and night.

Learning from the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, the Indian Army is addressing the threat posed by First Person View (FPV) drones, which have targeted frontline personnel and equipment. To combat these threats, the army has started receiving deliveries of the Man Portable Counter Drone System (MPCDS). This indigenously developed system can detect and neutralize drones up to a distance of 5 kilometers using the soft kill method.

India’s rapid advancements in counter-drone technology underscore its commitment to protecting its armed forces and critical infrastructure. By investing in and deploying sophisticated systems like the D4 and MPCDS, India is racing ahead in the global counter-drone space, ensuring a robust defense against emerging aerial threats.