Video: India tests Bhargavastra, a domestic counterdrone system

India has successfully test-fired Bhargavastra, an indigenously developed, low-cost counter-drone system, marking a major technological breakthrough in defending against drone swarm threats. The trials took place on Tuesday at the Seaward Firing Range in Gopalpur, Odisha, with all test objectives met.

Key Highlights of Bhargavastra:

Successful Trial Results

• Three tests were conducted in the presence of Army Air Defence (AAD) officials:

  • Two single-rocket firings

  • One salvo mode (two rockets fired within two seconds)

• All four unguided micro-rockets performed flawlessly, confirming the system’s capability for rapid response and high-impact neutralisation.

System Capabilities

Layered Defence System

1. First Layer:

   • Unguided micro-rockets

   • Effective against drone swarms within a 20-metre lethal radius

   • Range: Up to 2.5 km

2. Second Layer:

   • Guided micro-missiles (already tested)

   • Offers pinpoint accuracy for harder-to-hit UAVs

3. (Optional) Soft-kill Layer (planned):

   • Includes jamming and spoofing for non-kinetic neutralisation

C4I-Integrated Command Centre

• Advanced C4I (Command, Control, Communications, Computers, and Intelligence) technology

• Radar detects small aerial threats up to 6–10 km

• Electro-Optical/Infrared (EO/IR) sensors track low radar cross-section (LRCS) targets

Features & Design Philosophy

• Indigenous Development:
  Created by Solar Defence and Aerospace Limited (SDAL) in collaboration with Indian defence forces

• Modular and Scalable:

  • Adaptable across all armed services

  • Operable in diverse terrains, including high-altitude zones (>5,000 m)

  • Components like Radar, EO sensors, and RF receivers are configurable based on mission needs

• Swarm Neutralisation Focus:
  Designed specifically to detect, track, and eliminate multiple drones simultaneously—an emerging modern warfare threat

• Network-Centric Compatibility:
  Seamlessly integrates into India’s existing battlefield infrastructure, enhancing real-time coordination and response

Global Context & Significance

• According to SDAL, Bhargavastra represents one of the world’s first operationally viable, multi-layered counter-drone systems combining both hard and soft kill mechanisms at a low cost.

• With its open-source architecture, it remains highly customizable—giving India an edge in export potential and collaborative development.

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Bhargavastra’s successful trials position India as a global front-runner in drone defence technologies, especially in the field of swarm neutralisation, where most countries are still in experimental phases. Its modularity, affordability, and adaptability make it a potential game-changer for asymmetric and hybrid warfare scenarios.