In a major step forward for India’s defense capabilities, Solar Defence and Aerospace Limited (SDAL) has successfully test-fired the ‘Bhargavastra,’ a cutting-edge, homegrown counter-swarm drone system designed to neutralize the growing threat of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and drone swarms. The successful trials were conducted on May 13, 2025, at the Seaward Firing Range in Gopalpur, marking a significant achievement in the nation’s journey toward self-reliance in defense technology under the ‘Make in India’ initiative.
The test firing saw three successful trials, which included two single-rocket launches and a third involving a two-rocket salvo, demonstrating the system’s impressive performance in neutralizing large-scale drone attacks. All rockets met the required launch parameters, confirming the ‘Bhargavastra’ system’s operational reliability and effectiveness in countering advanced aerial threats.
A key feature of the ‘Bhargavastra’ system is its low-cost, hard-kill capability, which employs unguided micro-rockets to destroy drones within a lethal radius of 20 meters, at distances of up to 2.5 kilometers. Additionally, its advanced radar, with a detection range of 6 to 10 kilometers, can identify even micro-drones with low radar cross-sections (LRCS). The system is equipped with an Electro-Optical/Infrared (EO/IR) sensor suite, ensuring high-precision tracking and identification of drone targets.
What truly distinguishes the ‘Bhargavastra’ from other counter-drone systems is its multi-layered defense approach. The system operates as the first layer of defense with unguided rockets, followed by a guided micro-missile layer for precise targeting of more challenging threats. The system’s modular design allows it to integrate additional soft-kill capabilities, such as electronic jamming and spoofing, enabling operators to disable drones without physical destruction.
Moreover, the ‘Bhargavastra’ is adaptable for deployment across a variety of terrains, including high-altitude regions above 5,000 meters, making it suitable for India’s diverse operational environments. The system’s Command-and-Control Centre incorporates state-of-the-art C4I (Command, Control, Communications, Computers, and Intelligence) technology, enabling comprehensive situational awareness and seamless integration into India’s existing network-centric warfare infrastructure.
With its open-source architecture and cost-effectiveness, the ‘Bhargavastra’ positions India as a global leader in counter-drone technology, especially with its swarm-neutralization capabilities. SDAL claims that no other country has yet developed a domestically produced counter-drone system of this caliber.
The successful test firing of the ‘Bhargavastra’ highlights India’s ongoing commitment to strengthening its air defense systems in the face of evolving security threats posed by the proliferation of drones worldwide. As a fully indigenous solution, the system further reduces India’s reliance on foreign defense imports, aligning with the government’s ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ (self-reliant India) policy and the defense reforms under the Defence Acquisition Procedure 2020, which prioritize domestic manufacturing.
This achievement represents a major milestone in India’s defense sector, reaffirming the country’s technological expertise and capability in providing robust, innovative, and cost-effective solutions to modern security challenges. The ‘Bhargavastra’ system’s success not only enhances India’s air defense infrastructure but also underscores the country’s growing influence on the global stage in defense technology.
