India has taken a major step forward in defence technology with the development of a new low-cost weapon system called Bhargavastra, designed specifically to tackle the growing threat of drone swarms. Developed by Solar Defence and Aerospace Limited (SDAL), this advanced Counter Drone System operates in Hard Kill Mode, which means it physically destroys incoming drones instead of disabling them electronically.
Successful Field Trials Conducted in Odisha
The system uses small, unguided rockets and was recently tested at the Seaward Firing Range in Gopalpur, Odisha. SDAL confirmed that all objectives were successfully met during these rigorous tests. On May 13, three separate trials took place in front of senior officers from the Army Air Defence (AAD).
In two trials, one rocket was launched in each round. The third trial involved a salvo launch of two rockets within just two seconds. All four rockets met their performance goals, proving the system’s reliability and effectiveness in targeting aerial threats.
Dual-Layer Protection Against Drones
Bhargavastra is specially designed to detect and eliminate small unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) from as far as 2.5 kilometers away. It includes two powerful layers of defence:
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First layer: Unguided micro-rockets with a lethal range of 20 meters, ideal for attacking drone swarms.
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Second layer: Guided micro-missiles (already tested earlier) for accurate strikes on specific drone targets.
SDAL stated, “Bhargavastra is built with an indigenous design and includes both rockets and guided micro-missiles tailored to neutralize hostile UAVs.”
Designed for Tough Terrains and Modern Warfare
This system can be deployed across challenging terrains, including high-altitude areas above 5,000 meters. It is also modular, allowing the addition of a soft kill layer (jamming and spoofing technology) to create a full-spectrum defence shield for the armed forces.
The setup includes key sensors such as radar, electro-optical (EO), and radio frequency (RF) receivers. These components can be arranged in different combinations based on operational needs. The system’s layered and tiered design provides air defence (AD) coverage at greater ranges and integrates smoothly with India’s network-centric warfare systems.
#WATCH | A new low-cost Counter Drone System in Hard Kill mode 'Bhargavastra', has been designed and developed by Solar Defence and Aerospace Limited (SDAL), signifying a substantial leap in countering the escalating threat of drone swarms. The micro rockets used in this… pic.twitter.com/qM4FWtEF43
— ANI (@ANI) May 14, 2025
Powerful Command and Control Capabilities
The weapon is also equipped with a high-tech Command-and-Control Centre that uses C4I (Command, Control, Communications, Computers, and Intelligence) systems. Its radar can detect even small flying objects from distances between 6 and 10 kilometers. It also has EO/IR (Electro-Optical/Infrared) sensors that help identify low radar cross-section drones with great accuracy.
Thanks to these features, Bhargavastra gives operators a clear view of the battlefield and allows them to tackle either single drones or multiple drones at once.
A Milestone in Indian Innovation
According to SDAL, this system stands out globally. While several advanced countries are working on similar technologies, Bhargavastra is unique because it is entirely homegrown, cost-effective, and capable of neutralizing large groups of drones — a combination that is yet to be seen anywhere else in the world.
This achievement highlights India’s growing technological capabilities and marks another important success under the Make in India initiative. SDAL concluded, “This is another feather in the cap for the ‘Make in India’ mission and a progressive step in further strengthening our already robust Air Defence umbrella.”
