Hyderabad: Giving an impetus to strengthening defences against hostile drones that are increasingly being employed for attack, surveillance and disruption, the Indian Army is urgently seeking a new Drone Interception System (DIS) that can be integrated into the air defence network for detecting and shooting down small drones at close ranges.
Detecting, tracking and disabling hostile drones was in focus as defence scientists and security agencies pushed for stronger systems to deal with a fast-changing threat. At ‘Samrakshak’, an exhibition organised by the Defence Electronics Research Laboratory, a range of indigenous counter-drone technologies developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) labs were showcased, focusing on how India can respond to the growing use of drones in conflict and surveillance.
Defence Research and Development Secretary and DRDO’s Chairman Samir V Kamat said the nature of warfare is shifting rapidly, with drones playing a larger role. “We are seeing a clear change in the way threats are emerging. Developing indigenous counter drone systems is critical to respond effectively,” he said, adding that such platforms help bring all stakeholders together to plan future responses.
DRDO’s Electronics and Communication Systems Director General BK Das said counter drone technologies are now central to national security. “There is a need to bring all stakeholders together and work in a coordinated manner to meet emerging challenges,” he said.
The Samrakshak exhibition held in Hyderabad featured multiple layers of defence systems, including radar systems by LRDE to detect drones, RF detection and neutralisation systems by DLRL, electro-optical and infrared systems by IRDE for tracking, high energy laser systems by CHESS and high-power microwave systems by MTRDC for disabling threats.
Acoustic sensors by NPOL and weaponised drones by DYSL-AT were also displayed. Over 300 participants from the armed forces, ministry of home affairs, DRDO labs, defence public sector units and industry attended the event. Officials said the focus is now on building integrated systems that can respond quickly and accurately, as drone threats become more frequent and complex. The event concluded with a panel discussion on next generation technologies and strengthening India’s preparedness against drone-based risks.
Meanwhile, facing an exponential threat from small drones, Army had sought new interception system for ‘hard kills’. As per this thinking a latest Drone Interception System is required to detect and counter the low RCS drone/UAS by utilising kinetic means.
“The air threat from low radar cross-section drones (RCS)/unmanned aerial systems (UAS) employed individually or as a swarm has grown exponentially. Therefore, there is an urgent requirement of developing and procuring suitable weapon systems for countering and neutralising this emerging threat,” a request for information (RFI) issued by the Ministry of Defence on February 20, 2026 stated.
“Drone Interception System is required to detect and counter the low RCS drone/UAS by utilising kinetic means. The proposed system should be able to deploy independently or in conjunction with in-service air defence weapon systems and other counter-UAS weapon systems in all types of terrain conditions in India, the RFI adds.
The RFI came within a week of the ministry seeking procurement of a Drone Catcher System that, unlike using weapons, would launch drones equipped with nets to ensnare and neutralise hostile platforms.
The DIS is required to have a surveillance, detection and tracking capability along with a microprocessor for computing a targeting solution, and an interceptor with kinetic impact capability. Kinetic capability implies the ability to employ ‘hard kill’ options by using guns, missiles, lasers or directed energy weapons.
The sensor will be based on ‘electronically scanned array’ technology or better with the ability for a 360-degree scan of large volumes of airspace for intrusions. It should be able to detect and track a minimum of 20 drones/UAS simultaneously at a range of at least 4 km for nano and micro drones and at least 10 km for small sized drones.
The sensor should be able to detect, track, prioritise and thereafter designate the hostile targets through the GCS to the interceptor, a fully autonomous fire-and-forget component to detect and defeat the aerial target by direct impact or explosion in its vicinity beyond the visual line of sight.
Effective electronic counter-counter measures (ECCS), compatibility for integration with the Akashteer control and reporting air defence and meeting the Army Cyber Group evaluation criteria for being on-boarded on to the Army Data Network are other stipulated requirements.
The RFI also stated that the DIS should be capable of being operated in all types of terrain and climatic conditions from plains, coastal areas and deserts to altitudes above 16,000 feet in temperatures ranging from -20°C to 45°C.
