Bhargavastra – India’s 1st Indigenous Micro-Missile-Based Counter-Drone System

1. Bhargavastra is India’s 1st indigenous counter-drone system specifically designed to neutralise individual drones and swarm drone threats using a multi-layered hard-kill mechanism.
2. It is Developed by Solar Defence and Aerospace Ltd. (SDAL) in collaboration with Economic Explosives Ltd., a subsidiary of Solar Industries India Ltd.
3. It is a low-cost, mobile, and modular solution intended to meet the modern battlefield requirements of the Indian Armed Forces.
    

Trials and Testing :
 

1. Trials were conducted at the Seaward Firing Range, Gopalpur on May 13, 2025.
2. A total of 3 trials were conducted:
   • 2 single rocket launches.
   • 1 salvo launch with two rockets fired within 2 seconds.
3. All 4 rockets achieved designated launch and performance parameters.
    

Technical Features and Capabilities

 

Layered Defence Configuration
 

Layer	Type	Function
First Layer	Unguided micro-rockets	Neutralises swarm drones using blast radius (~20 meters).
Second Layer	Guided micro-missiles	Precision engagement of high-value or evasive targets.
Optional Layer	Soft-kill (jamming and spoofing)	Disrupts drone communication and GPS-based navigation.

 

Key Specifications
 

Parameter	Capability
Detection Range	6 to 10 km (Radar)
Engagement Range	Over 2.5 km
Simultaneous Fire	Up to 64 micro-rockets or missiles
Salvo Capability	2 rockets in under 2 seconds
Terrain Compatibility	Deployable in high-altitude regions (> 5000 m)
Modularity	Configurable sensors (Radar, EO/IR, RF) and launchers
C4I Integration	Supports command and control with network-centric infrastructure
Sensor Suite	Electro-optical, infrared, and RF receivers for precise tracking

 

Strategic Significance
 

1. Designed and manufactured entirely in India, supporting the Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat initiatives.
2. Addresses the lack of indigenous systems to counter modern drone swarm attacks.
3. A low-cost alternative to conventional air defence systems; suitable for neutralising low-cost threats.
4. Potential deployment across the Army, Air Force, and Navy.
5. Export Potential: Open-architecture design and modularity make it adaptable for international markets.
    

what are Swarm Drones
 

1. Swarm drones refer to multiple drones operating autonomously or semi-autonomously in a coordinated manner using artificial intelligence, real-time communication, and local sensing technologies.
2.  Threat Profile
   1. Can overwhelm traditional radar and missile systems.
   2. Capable of coordinated strikes, reconnaissance, and electronic disruption.
   3. Low radar cross-section makes detection challenging.
3.  Operational Examples
   1. Russia-Ukraine War: Used for surveillance and precision strikes.
   2. Nagorno-Karabakh Conflict: Employed for targeting artillery and tank positions.
       

Government Initiatives Promoting Drone Ecosystem
 

Initiative	Objective
Drone Rules, 2021	Liberalised regulatory framework for drone operations.
Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme	₹120 crore allocated to promote domestic manufacturing of drones and components.
Drone Shakti	Promotes drone-as-a-service startups in sectors like agriculture and logistics.
Kisan Drone Scheme	Offers subsidies to farmers for the use of drones in agricultural applications.
SVAMITVA Scheme	Uses drones for mapping rural land parcels to improve property documentation.
Namo Drone Didi	Equips women-led self-help groups with drones for agricultural and rural services.

 

Challenges and Considerations

 

1. Scalability: Requires industrial-scale production to meet defence demand.
2. Electronic Countermeasures: Adversaries may develop technologies resistant to jamming or spoofing.
3. Cybersecurity: Ensuring protection of communication and command infrastructure.
4. Operational Training: Effective deployment requires specialised operator training and battlefield integration.
5. Global Competition: Competes with similar systems being developed in the US, China, and Turkey.
    

Way Forward
 

1. Expand production and deployment across border areas and defence bases.
2. Export to strategic partners in Asia and Africa.
3. Integrate artificial intelligence for autonomous threat classification.
4. Establish counter-drone training centres in the armed forces.
5. Develop complementary systems using directed energy weapons for future integration.