India has successfully tested the Bhargavastra, its first micro-missile system designed to counter swarm drones. The system, developed by Economic Explosives Ltd, can quickly deploy on a mobile platform and hit targets over 2.5 km. Further exhaust...
New Delhi: India has tested its first indigenous micro-missile system designed to take on the threat of swarm drones. Two firings were carried out successfully at Gopalpur Seaward Firing Ranges this week.
Being developed for the Army, the multi-layered system hit designated virtual targets at over 2.5 km, showcasing a unique low-cost option to take on large-scale drone attacks that have become a persistent threat.
Sources said the counter-drone system, named 'Bhargavastra', is capable of detecting even small incoming flying machines at over 6 km and can take them down using micro munitions that can be guided towards the threat.
With the successful test, which was witnessed by senior Army officials, the system is set to be ready for larger, more exhaustive, trials by this year, paving the way for its induction into the armed forces.
The system can simultaneously fire more than 64 micro missiles. Being developed by Economic Explosives Ltd, the system will be mounted on a mobile platform for quick deployment to a threat zone. It is designed to operate in all terrains, including high-altitude areas, to meet specific requirements of the armed forces.
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Designed to meet requirements of the Army Air Defence, this is the first counter-drone system that uses micro missiles. The Air Force too has a large requirement of such systems and there are limited examples of similar systems in other countries.
The prevalence of low-cost drones, often used in swarm configurations, has become a major challenge for armed forces that rely on expensive air defence missiles to protect key assets. The key requirement is for a low-cost system that can take down incoming drones, keeping expensive air defence systems for bigger threats.
