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Indian Army Launches Technological Offensive to Counter Drone Threat with High-Power Microwave Systems.
Amid the rapid rise in drone use on modern battlefields, the Indian Army is taking decisive steps to bolster its anti-drone capabilities. Recently, it issued a Request for Information (RFI) to acquire high-power microwave (HPM) systems, an advanced technology designed to neutralize small drones increasingly deployed by military powers such as Turkey, China, the United Kingdom, and Russia.
Integrating HPM technology aligns with a broader strategy to equip Indian Armored Fighting Vehicles (AFVs) with advanced anti-drone capabilities (Picture source: BEL)
This initiative by the Indian Army aims to address a critical need: the ability to detect, track, and neutralize small aerial threats using systems with a precise range of nearly five kilometers. Unlike traditional projectile-based methods, HPM systems use electromagnetic waves to directly disrupt the electronic systems of drones. This targeted frequency approach complicates adversary countermeasures, diminishing the effectiveness of the anti-jamming or electronic protection devices often used by enemy drones.
Integrating HPM technology aligns with a broader strategy to equip Indian Armored Fighting Vehicles (AFVs) with advanced anti-drone capabilities. Traditional weapons, such as 12.7mm machine guns, though effective against larger aerial targets, fall short against smaller, more agile drones that are harder to intercept. HPM systems bridge this gap by offering a non-kinetic solution that can incapacitate drones without physical destruction, paving the way for faster and more efficient responses to multiple threats during combat scenarios.
The adoption of this technology also represents a strategic advancement in interoperability across the branches of the Indian Armed Forces. Concurrently, the Army is exploring new platforms like the Common Air Defence Tracked System (CADET), which would incorporate these anti-drone technologies into a unified architecture. This platform aims to enhance collective defense capabilities while improving responsiveness to aerial threats, whether concentrated or dispersed over wide areas.
In line with the Ministry of Defence’s Aatmanirbharta initiative, which promotes technological self-reliance, India mandates that 50% of the components for these new systems be locally produced. This measure, beyond supporting the national economy, aims to secure India’s defense capabilities against the fluctuations of foreign dependency, a particularly critical consideration amid persistent drone threats from neighboring countries like Pakistan and China.
Recent international conflicts, notably in Ukraine and the Middle East, have underscored the strategic importance of drones in modern military operations. Countries worldwide are now investing heavily in anti-drone systems to address the rapid evolution of this threat. By proactively advancing these technologies, the Indian Army not only aims to enhance the protection of its troops and equipment but also to secure a strategic advantage in future conflicts, where drones, both large and small, are expected to play a central role.
By investing in defense technologies like HPM systems, India sends a clear message: it is equipping itself with the necessary tools to uphold its territorial integrity and protect its sovereignty against contemporary security challenges, especially with regard to its neighbor, China.