India successfully tests hard-kill counter-swarm drone system Bhargavastra

Blitz Bureau

NEW DELHI: India achieved a significant milestone in its counter-drone capabilities with the successful test firing of its low-cost, hard-kill counter-swarm drone system, Bhargavastra, at the Seaward Firing Range in Gopalpur on May 14. The system met all specified performance targets and is being hailed as a major advancement in the country’s ability to neutralise the emerging threat of drone swarms.

Developed indigenously by Solar Defence and Aerospace Limited (SDAL), ‘Bhargavastra’ is a powerful addition to India’s defence arsenal, particularly in its mission to secure airspace from unmanned aerial threats. The micro rockets that form the heart of the system underwent rigorous testing in Gopalpur and successfully achieved all designated objectives, indicating a high level of operational readiness.

Three separate trials of the rocket system were carried out on May 13 in the presence of senior officials from the Army Air Defence (AAD). Two of these tests involved the firing of individual rockets, while the third was conducted in salvo mode, launching two rockets within a span of just two seconds.

All four rockets met the required launch parameters, highlighting the system’s robust technological foundation and its potential to combat large-scale drone incursions effectively. According to SDAL, Bhargavastra offers a unified and advanced solution to counter the growing threat from Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), especially drone swarms.
The system has the capability to detect and neutralise small, fast-moving drones at distances of up to 2.5 km. It utilises unguided micro rockets as its primary defensive layer, designed to destroy multiple drones within a lethal radius of 20 metres.

For precision strikes, a guided micro-missile — which has already undergone successful testing — forms the second defensive tier, ensuring pinpoint accuracy. The system is engineered to function efficiently across varied terrains, including high-altitude areas exceeding 5,000 meters above sea level.

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