What is Bhargavastra? India's Low Cost and Indigenous Micro-Missile Air Defence System

Bhargavastra is India's first affordable micro-missile air defence system developed by Solar Defence and Aerospace Limited. It is designed to combat drone swarms.

This "hard-kill" type system is semi-soft with a two-tier approach: unguided micro-rockets with a 20-metre range of lethality to counter mass incursions and precision-guided micro-missiles for specific targets. 

It detects small drones in ranges between 6 and 10 km and engages targets at distances of up to about 2.5 km. Its Command-and-Control Centre, incorporating advanced C4I systems, provides real-time situational awareness along with the capability to engage over 64 targets at one go. 

Designed for employment in diverse terrains, including high-altitude areas, Bhargavastra is capable of mounting on mobile platforms and integrating into existing military networks to enhance Indian air defence against evolving aerial threats.

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What Does ‘Bhargavastra’ Mean?

Source: The CSR Journal

The word "Bhargavastra " is an Indian Mythological one. In ancient texts such as the Mahabharata and the Ramayana, the Bhargavastra is depicted as a powerful and destructive weapon ("astra") associated with the sage Bhargava (also known as Parashurama).

In mythology, it was often called upon by the gods and was considered to be a very potent weapon. The moniker of the current air defence system comes from here: a reference to its potency and effectiveness against drones and, more generally, the swarms of drones.

What is This Modern ‘Bhargavastra’? Check Its Accuracy, Speed, and Range

#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

India tested its new and powerful counter-drone system on May 13, 2025, at the Seaward Firing Range in Gopalpur. 'Bhargavastra' is a low-cost, indigenous micro-missile air defence system developed by Solar Defence and Aerospace Limited in India to counter drone swarms.  

1. Accuracy

The new counter-drone system employs a two-tiered approach to targeting with a greater degree of accuracy.” The first layer is made up of unguided micro-rockets with a kill range of 20 metres, designed to take out the swarm of drones.

The second armour has an elite group of precision-guided micro-missiles that are designed for much more precise targeting of particular drones.

With recent tests at the Seaward Firing Range in Gopalpur, all four micro-rockets (single and salvo modes) struck the intended launch parameters and objectives, proving high alertness in authenticity towards the assigned targets.  

2. Speed

Designed for quick engagement of fast-moving drones, the system highlights its capacity to swiftly intercept several threats. The salvo firing capacity launches two missiles in two seconds.

3. Range: 

Bhargavastra can detect small drones at a range of 6-10 km using its radar systems. Its engagement range for neutralising drones is up to 2.5 km.

4. Other Details:

• Hard Kill Mode: Bhargavastra operates in "hard kill" mode, meaning it physically destroys the drones.   
• Swarm Neutralisation: Its primary design focus is to counter large formations or swarms of drones.   
• Command and Control: It features an advanced Command-and-Control Centre with C4I capabilities for real-time situational awareness and engagement of over 64 targets simultaneously.   
• Terrain Agnostic: The system is designed for deployment across diverse terrains, including high-altitude regions (above 5,000 metres).   
• Modularity: Bhargavastra's modular design allows for the integration of a soft-kill layer (jamming and spoofing) in the future, providing a comprehensive counter-drone solution.   
• Indigenous Development: All components, from detection sensors to the micro-rockets and missiles, are indigenously developed.
• Integration: It can be seamlessly integrated with India's existing network-centric warfare infrastructure.

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