More teeth for Indian Army: Homemade ‘Shatrunash’ and ‘Agniastra’ set to redefine battlefield tactics

The Indian armed forces have inducted two internally developed original military technologies, very aptly named Shatrunash (destroyer of enemies) and Agniastra (weapon of fire), which are set to redefine battlefield tactics in both conventional battles as well as counter-insurgency operations.

 

A multi-target portable remote detonation system, Agniastra not only demolishes enemy bunkers, bridges, and fortified structures but can fire at multiple targets independently over long distances. The machine is deployable manually or via UAVs/UGVs.

 

An electromagnetic pulse (EMP) gun, Shatrunash is a handheld and directed-energy weapon designed to disable IEDs, drones, vehicles, and any electronic-based target without kinetic impact. It uses high-power microwave radiation.

 

In a major recognition of this military technology, Major Rajprasad R.S. of the Indian Army’s Corps of Engineers has been conferred with the NSG Counter IED Innovator Award for the year 2024–25.

 

The award was presented to him during National Security Guard (NSG) international seminar held in New Delhi on June 11 for the two mechanical creations.

 

This marks Major Ramprasad’s second NSG honour. His 2023 innovation ‘Xploder’, a multi-role Kamikaze UGV for IED disposal and hideout neutralisation, is now approved for induction in the Indian Army.

 

Indian Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi formally inducted 'Xploder' in December 2024. So far, Rajprasad has developed over 12 tactical innovations, with four already being inducted into the Indian Army’s operational ecosystem.

 

His inventions have also been showcased to top dignitaries including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, and the three service chiefs.

 

Previously, another innovation named WEDC (Wireless Electronic Detonation System) developed by the officer had been inducted.

 

Significantly, it is for the first time that the Transfer of Technologies (ToT) for these systems have been granted to private defence industries for mass production by Indian Army’s Army Design Bureau (ADB) facilitated by Foundation of Innovation and Technology Transfer (FITT), thereby nurturing and establishing the manufacturing ecosystem to contribute to the Aatmanirbharta initiative. 

Defence