India has successfully test-fired its indigenous counter-swarm drone system, Bhargavastra, marking a significant advancement in the nation's defense capabilities. Developed by Solar Defence and Aerospace Limited (SDAL), Bhargavastra is a low-cost, hard-kill system designed to neutralize the growing threat posed by drone swarms.

Key Highlights:

• The system was tested on May 13, 2025, at the Seaward Firing Range in Gopalpur, Odisha. The trials were conducted in the presence of senior officials from the Army Air Defence (AAD).
• Bhargavastra is designed to neutralize drone swarms using a hard-kill approach, employing unguided micro-rockets and guided micro-missiles.
• The unguided micro-rockets have a lethal radius of 20 meters, making them effective against dense swarms.
• The system also features a guided micro-missile layer for precise targeting of individual drones.
• It can detect small aerial threats from a distance of 6 to 10 kilometers using radar, and employs Electro-Optical Infrared (EO/IR) sensors for accurate target identification.
• During the trials, four rockets were successfully launched—two in single mode and two in salvo mode—with all performing as expected.
• Bhargavastra is built for deployment across varied terrains, including high-altitude regions above 5,000 meters.
• Its modular design supports the addition of soft-kill measures such as jamming and spoofing technologies.
• The successful test demonstrates India’s growing self-reliance in defense technology and commitment to modernizing its armed forces.