India Inducts Indigenous 'Bhargavastra' Micro Missile System for Low-Cost Anti-Drone Defence

In a significant drone defence technology milestone, India has inducted 'Bhargavastra', a future-proof low-cost counter-drone system developed by Solar Defence and Aerospace Limited (SDAL). Designed to counter the emerging threat from drone swarms and UAVs, Bhargavastra is a significant step ahead in India's air defence capability and Atmanirbhar Bharat indigenisation drive.

India's First Micro-Missile Based Anti-Drone System

The Bhargavastra system uses guided micro-rockets to identify and eliminate enemy drones from a long range. The system successfully accomplished all mission objectives in a series of successful live tests conducted at the Seaward Firing Range in Gopalpur on May 13.

The tests included three separate firings—two solo shots and a salvo of two micro-missiles launched in just two seconds. According to SDAL, both the four micro-rockets cleared the minimum launch parameters, demonstrating precision firing as well as readiness to operate.

1. Bhargavastra Features:

• Identifies drones at a distance of over 6 km range
• Engagement range of over 2.5 km
• Concurrent launching of over 64 guided micro-missiles
• Operational in various environments as well as high-altitude regions
• Deployment via Economic Explosives Ltd-designed mobile launcher platforms at higher speeds
• Designed to fill a critical capability gap in Army Air Defence; also evoking interest from the Indian Air Force

With few comparable systems available globally, Bhargavastra places India at the forefront of low-cost counter-UAV technology, providing a mobile and scalable option to costly, fixed, surface-to-air missile systems.

Lessons from Operation Sindoor

The evolution of the system precedes Operation Sindoor, when India had utilized its S-400 Triumf missile defence system to successfully repel Pakistani drone and missile attacks. Although the S-400 remains important for the defence against high-value targets, greater use of low-cost drone swarms requires cost-effective and scalable drone defence systems.

Bhargavastra stands poised to revolutionize counter-drone warfare, providing the Indian military with a low-cost, multi-purpose option to neutralize and counter unmanned threats without wiping out expensive strategic missile inventories.