Bhargavastra: All about India's indigenous air defence system

A new low-cost counter drone system ' Bhargavastra ', has been designed and developed by Solar Defence and Aerospace Limited (SDAL), signifying a substantial leap in countering the escalating threat of drone swarms.

The micro rockets used in this counter-drone system underwent rigorous testing at the Seaward Firing Range, Gopalpur, achieving all designated objectives.

Three trials were conducted for the rocket at Gopalpur on May 13 in presence of senior officials of the Army.

#WATCH | A new low-cost Counter Drone System in Hard Kill mode 'Bhargavastra', has been designed and developed by Solar Defence and Aerospace Limited (SDAL), signifying a substantial leap in countering the escalating threat of drone swarms. The micro rockets used in this… pic.twitter.com/qM4FWtEF43

— ANI (@ANI) May 14, 2025

Two trials were conducted by firing one rocket each.

One trial was conducted by firing two rockets in salvo mode within 2 seconds.

All four rockets performed as expected and achieved the required launch parameters underscoring its pioneering technology in mitigating large-scale drone attacks, said Solar Defence and Aerospace Limited in a statement.

What is the Bhargavastra micro-missile system?

• The counter-drone system, 'Bhargavastra', demonstrates capability to detect small aerial vehicles at ranges exceeding 6 km and neutralise them using guided micro munitions.
• The Bhargavastra system features simultaneous launch capability of over 64 micro missiles.
• Economic Explosives Ltd is developing this mobile platform-mounted system, ensuring rapid deployment to threat areas.
• Its design accommodates operations across various terrains, including high-altitude regions, meeting specific military requirements.
• As the first micro missile-based counter-drone system developed for Army Air Defence, it addresses a crucial capability gap. The Air Force has also expressed significant interest, with few comparable systems existing globally.

The new micro-missile system can engag targets beyond 2.5 km, demonstrating an economical solution against large-scale drone attacks that pose a continuous security challenge.

Operation Sindoor
The S-400 missile defence system proved highly effective during the recent India-Pakistan conflict, particularly in Operation Sindoor, where it played a crucial role in intercepting and neutralising Pakistani aerial threats.

Indian defence sources and official statements confirm that the S-400 successfully detected, tracked, and intercepted multiple Pakistani missiles, drones, and aircraft targeting various strategic locations along India's western border, including Jammu, Punjab, Rajasthan, and Gujarat.

The widespread availability of affordable drones, particularly in swarm formations, presents significant challenges to armed forces traditionally reliant on costly air defence missiles for asset protection.

There is a pressing need for cost-effective systems targeting drone threats, whilst preserving advanced air defence systems for more substantial threats.