In News:

India has developed 'Bhargavastra', a cutting-edge indigenous weapon system designed to neutraliseenemy drones, including drone swarms. It has been developed by Solar Defence and Aerospace Limited (SDAL), marking a major advancement in India’s drone warfare capabilities.

Key Features:

• Type:A multi-layered anti-drone system using micro-rockets and guided micro-missiles.
• Detection & Destruction Range:
  • Detects drones from 6–10 km using radar.
  • Destroys drones up to 2.5 km away.

How It Works:

• Layer 1:
  • Unguided micro-rockets target drone swarms.
  • Each rocket has an effective kill radius of 20 meters.
• Layer 2:Guided micro-missiles provide precision strikes on individual drones.
• Additional Features:Jammers and spoofers to confuse and disable drones electronically.

Successful Testing:

• Date & Location:Conducted on May 13, 2025, at the Seaward Firing Range, Gopalpur, Odisha.
• Results:
  • Three tests: two with single rockets, one with two rockets fired within two seconds.
  • All rockets hit their intended targets successfully.

Technological Components:

• Integrated Command and Control Centre
• High-resolution cameras and infrared sensors
• Real-time battlefield awareness system

Operational Versatility:

• All-Terrain Capability:Effective even in high-altitude zones above 5,000 metres.
• User Base:Can be deployed by Indian Army, Air Force, and Navy.
• Modularity:System components such as radars and launchers can be configured based on operational requirements.

Significance:

• Strategic Defence Tool:Counters rising threats from low-cost drones and UAV swarms.
• Indigenous Development:Boosts the Make in India initiative in defence manufacturing.
• First-of-its-kind in India:Among the few operational drone defence systems globally with successful tests.