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SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG

The Indian Army has initiated a groundbreaking collaboration with a private sector company to develop low-cost anti-drone drones designed to counter larger enemy drones and loitering munitions, particularly those deployed in swarms. According to sources close to Indian Defence Research Wing (idrw.org), this innovative program is already underway, with plans for trials in the near future. Each anti-drone unit is projected to cost less than $500, featuring a small explosive payload that detonates upon proximity to a target drone within its range.

These drones are engineered for swarm-based operations, requiring no individual control, and can be launched from multiple platforms to neutralize incoming threats. This cost-effective solution aims to drastically reduce the financial burden of intercepting expensive loitering munitions, which often range from $20,000 to $350,000 per unit, while enhancing India’s aerial defense capabilities amid rising drone warfare threats.

The development of these anti-drone drones reflects the Indian Army’s recognition of the evolving nature of modern warfare, where adversary nations increasingly deploy drone swarms to overwhelm traditional air defense systems. Recent conflicts, including the Russia-Ukraine war and India’s own Operation Sindoor in May 2025, have underscored the effectiveness of swarm drones and loitering munitions in saturating defenses. Pakistan’s reported use of 300–400 Turkish-made drones during Operation Bunyaan al-Marsoos, targeting Indian locations, further highlighted the need for a scalable, affordable countermeasure. The new system is designed to autonomously hunt down and neutralize these threats, leveraging swarm intelligence to match the coordinated tactics of enemy drones.

The anti-drone drones will feature proximity-triggered explosives, allowing them to detonate when within range of a target, effectively destroying or disabling larger drones and loitering munitions. Their ability to operate in swarms without individual control reduces operational complexity, enabling rapid deployment against multiple targets simultaneously. The flexibility to launch from various platforms—such as ground-based launchers, vehicles, or even aircraft—enhances their versatility, making them suitable for diverse operational environments, including high-altitude regions along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China and the Line of Control (LoC) with Pakistan.

A standout feature of this program is its affordability, with each unit priced below $500. This low cost is a deliberate strategy to ensure that the Indian Army can deploy these drones in large numbers, offsetting the high expense of intercepting costly enemy assets. Loitering munitions, such as Israel’s Harop or Turkey’s Kargu, often carry price tags ranging from $20,000 to $350,000, making traditional interception methods—using missiles or advanced anti-aircraft systems—prohibitively expensive. By contrast, a single anti-drone unit at under $500 can neutralize such threats, offering a cost-benefit ratio that could revolutionize aerial defense economics.

This approach aligns with global trends observed in Ukraine’s innovative use of low-cost FPV drones to counter Russian forces, as well as Azerbaijan’s deployment of swarm drones against Armenian defenses in the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. The Indian Army’s initiative draws inspiration from these examples, aiming to create a disposable, high-volume solution that can overwhelm enemy drone swarms while minimizing financial strain. The program’s scalability also positions it as a potential export product, appealing to nations facing similar threats from affordable drone technologies.

The anti-drone drones are being developed with advanced swarm algorithms, allowing them to operate collaboratively without requiring constant human oversight. This autonomy is critical for rapid response scenarios, where manual control could delay engagement with incoming threats. The proximity-based explosive mechanism relies on onboard sensors to detect and close in on targets, ensuring effective interception even in cluttered airspace. Sources indicate that the drones will be lightweight and compact, facilitating easy storage and deployment across India’s varied terrains, from the deserts of Rajasthan to the Himalayas.

Idrw.org can confirm that the program is already in motion, with the Indian Army and its private sector partner finalizing design and testing phases. Trials are expected to commence soon, likely involving simulated swarm engagements to evaluate the drones’ performance against mock targets. The collaboration leverages India’s growing private defense sector, which has gained prominence through initiatives like the “Make in India” program. Companies such as Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL), NewSpace Research and Technologies, and Johnnette Technologies, known for their work on loitering munitions and swarm drones, could be potential contributors, though specific partners remain undisclosed.

The development of these anti-drone drones comes at a time of heightened regional tensions, particularly following Operation Sindoor, where India demonstrated its multi-layered air defense capabilities against Pakistani drone attacks. The success of indigenous systems like the Akash missile and Akashteer network during that operation has bolstered confidence in homegrown technologies. However, the proliferation of affordable drones from Pakistan, supported by China and Turkey, necessitates a proactive response. The new anti-drone system will complement existing counter-UAS technologies, such as the VajraShot anti-drone gun and DRDO’s D4 system, creating a comprehensive defense against aerial threats.

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