Bhargavastra: India’s Indigenous Counter-Swarm Drone System

Context

Bhargavastra is India’s first indigenous micro-missile system, developed by Economic Explosives Ltd. (EEL) to counter individual drones and coordinated drone swarms.

Key features of Bhargavastra

1. Dual-Layer Defence: Combines unguided micro-rockets with a 20-metre lethal radius and precision-guided micro-missiles capable of intercepting targets up to 2.5 km away.
2. Target Detection: Detects larger Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) up to 10 km and smaller drones up to 6 km.
3. Integrated Surveillance: Integrates radar, Electro-Optical/Infrared (EO/IR) sensors, and passive Radio Frequency (RF) sensors through a Command, Control, Communications, Computers and Intelligence (C4I) architecture for drone detection and engagement.
4. All-Terrain Deployment: Designed to operate across deserts, high-altitude regions above 5,000 metres, and other challenging terrains.
5. Layered Defence: Combines hard-kill measures (micro-rockets and guided micro-missiles) with soft-kill techniques such as electronic jamming to neutralise individual drones and coordinated drone swarms.
6. Cost-Effective Capability: Offers a cost-efficient alternative to deploying surface-to-air missiles against low-cost drones, improving the cost-exchange ratio in counter-drone operations.

FAQs

Q1. What is Bhargavastra?

Ans: Bhargavastra is India’s first indigenous micro-missile system designed to counter individual drones and coordinated drone swarms.

Q2. Which company developed Bhargavastra?

Ans: Bhargavastra has been developed by Economic Explosives Ltd. (EEL).

Q3. What are the key components of Bhargavastra’s defence system?

Ans: The system combines unguided micro-rockets, precision-guided micro-missiles, and electronic jamming to provide a layered defence against drone threats.

Q4. Which technologies are used for drone detection in Bhargavastra?

Ans: It uses radar, EO/IR sensors, passive RF sensors, and a C4I architecture to detect, track, and engage drone threats.

Q5. What is the detection range of Bhargavastra?

Ans: It can detect larger UAVs up to 10 km and smaller drones up to 6 km.

Q6. Why is Bhargavastra significant for India’s defence?

Ans: It strengthens India’s indigenous counter-drone capability and provides a cost-effective layered defence against emerging drone threats.

Q7. What is the soft-kill capability of Bhargavastra?

Ans: Soft-kill refers to electronic jamming, which disrupts a drone’s communication or navigation systems without physically destroying it.