Context: The counter-drone system developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is ready for production and was already demonstrated to armed services and other internal security agencies with some orders already placed.
Counter-drone Technology:
- DRDO has developed a comprehensive integrated anti-drone system which comprises detection, identification, and neutralization of a drone.
- Transfer of Technology (ToT) for the above technologies has been handed over to private industries, including BEL, Adani, Larsen & Toubro (L&T) and Icom.
- The technology is capable of countering attacks, soft kill, and hard kill of all types of drones, including micro drones, which is being developed in the DRDO.
Technologies under development:
- DRDO is now focusing on high endurance Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) while the capability for smaller drones exists with the industry.
- Tapas Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) UAV developed for Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance (ISTAR) application is in the advanced stage of developmental trials.
- Tactical Aerial Platform for Advanced Surveillance(TAPAS) is a Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV).
- Indigenously-developed by: Bengaluru-based Aeronautical Development Establishment.
- It is a multi-mission UAV to carry out the intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance roles for the three armed forces with an endurance of 24 to 30 hours.
- It uses a Lithium Ion-based battery with indigenous battery management system developed by the DRDO.
- Short range armed UAV Archer is being developed for reconnaissance, surveillance and low intensity conflict and developmental flight trials are under progress.
Need of Anti Drone Technology:
- Drone strikes have emerged as major threats to military installations and must be detected early enough to protect assets and troops.
- In the last three years, drone sightings across the international border have increased considerably. Of the nearly 500 sightings, over 300 were in 2022 itself, an exponential increase from previous years.
- About 75 percent were in the Punjab sector, 15 percent were in Jammu, and 10 percent were in Rajasthan and Gujarat.
- An unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) can carry ordnance such as rockets, missiles, and bombs. Until recently, most drones were usually under real-time human control. However, Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology now supports more significant flight and decision-making autonomy levels.
- Drones are cheap and available commercially off-the-shelf and have replaced human smugglers and even terrorists in some cases. The technology is being used to smuggle illegal arms, ammunition, drugs, currency, propaganda pamphlets, and other items to their supporters and operatives.
Flying bases and areas up to three kilometers of radius have been classified as a ‘no drone zone.’ With enhanced surveillance through handheld static and vehicle-mounted anti-drone systems, border security forces are working towards thwarting the attempts made for drone strikes as well as smuggling.