With the exponential rise of drones, loitering munitions, and counter-drone systems, the Indian Army Air Defence (AAD) Corps is aggressively modernising its arsenal to combat these evolving threats. The AAD has unveiled an ambitious plan to acquire new anti-aircraft guns, advanced missiles, fragmentation ammunition, directed energy weapons, jammers, and radars to secure key airspace locations.
“The future is drone warfare, and we are prepared with a counter-drone strategy,” said Lt. Gen. Sumer Ivan D’Cunha, Director General of Army Air Defence, during an interaction on Friday. The AAD is tasked with defending key assets in the Tactical Battle Area (TBA) and operates alongside the Indian Air Force (IAF) to neutralise aerial threats. While the IAF is responsible for overall airspace security, the AAD protects airspace below 5,000 feet over critical cities and strategic installations.
Guns Back in Fashion for Air Defence
India’s Ground-Based Air Defence (GBAD) systems currently rely on ageing Swedish-origin L-70 and Russian ZU-23 guns, which, despite upgrades, are outdated. India has not procured new anti-aircraft guns since the 1990s. Now, the Army plans to replace these systems with indigenous successors equipped with advanced fragmentation ammunition capable of engaging multiple drones simultaneously.
“The fashion of guns is back. The Army retained them for a good reason, and with fragmentation ammunition, they can be highly effective,” Lt. Gen. D’Cunha stated. The Army is set to acquire 220 new guns for which an RFP (request for proposal) is already out, with trials expected within three months. The first trials of the indigenous successor platform for the L-70 guns are slated for July. Currently, the L70 and ZU-23 guns have an effective range of 3.5 km and 2.5 km, respectively.
Missiles and Radars: Strengthening the Arsenal
The AAD’s inventory includes outdated Russian-origin Schilka, Tunguska, and Osa-AK missile systems. The Army is integrating new air defence systems for infantry and armoured units to modernise its capabilities. The DRDO-developed Quick Reaction Surface-to-Air Missile (QRSAM), with a range of 30 km, has successfully undergone trials.
“We hope to finalise a contract in four to five months. Once signed, the First Prototype Model (FoPM) will be ready within 12 months, with production following in 18 months. The system will be available in both wheeled and tracked configurations,” Lt. Gen. D’Cunha said.
In the long-range category, the Akash missile system, currently deployed in three regiments, is set to expand with two additional regiments by 2026. Meanwhile, the Akashteer air defence network is being rolled out, with over 200 units expected by March.
The Army is also evaluating the Very Short-Range Air Defence System (VSHORADS), a man-portable system developed by DRDO which has recently successfully conducted three successive flight-trials.
“We have VSHORADS, however, with the increasing variety of drones, we need a cost-benefit analysis. Missiles aren’t viable against all drones, making fragmentation ammunition a crucial solution,” Lt. Gen. D’Cunha noted.
The AAD is acquiring additional Low-Level Light Weight Radars (LLLR) to bolster detection capabilities to detect even small drones like the DJI Mavic. DJI is a wildly used Chinese drones world over.
“We are looking at the capability to detect the smallest drones akin to DJI Mavic. We need a surveillance system for which we are in process of acquiring LLLR radars under emergency procurement. They can detect small drones like Mavic even without a payload. Increasing radar density is crucial, particularly in mountainous and valley terrains,” he said.
Emphasis on Indigenous innovation for Future Readiness
Embracing automation, artificial intelligence, and precision weaponry, the Army is adopting a multi-layered defence strategy to tackle emerging threats. Lt. Gen. D’Cunha highlighted the critical role of indigenous innovation and expedited procurement cycles in maintaining strategic superiority. “You can’t take five years to finalise a system and seven years for induction,” he asserted, stressing that achieving self-reliance in defence manufacturing requires a strong domestic ecosystem with substantial investments in research and development.
Facing the Drone Warfare Challenge
The AAD is preparing for large-scale drone warfare scenarios. “In a tactical battle, we anticipate 3,000-4,000 drones operating over a 400 sq km area. Both sides will deploy jammers, restricting airspace. Managing such scenarios is a significant challenge,” Lt. Gen. D’Cunha cautioned.
The rapid technological evolution in drone warfare poses an ongoing challenge. “The integration of surveillance radars has forced adversaries to fly higher, increasing their vulnerability. It has enabled Ukraine to maintain airspace control and effectively support ground forces,” he noted, highlighting lessons from contemporary conflicts.
As the Army Air Defence Corps swiftly modernises, its focus remains on developing an integrated, multi-layered defence network capable of countering the ever-evolving threats posed by drones and aerial threats.
Ravi Shankar
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