Enemy Drones to Be Neutralized Mid-Air: India Develops Special Counter-Drone Grid Under Mission Sudarshan Chakra

New Delhi, January 7, 2026: The Indian Armed Forces are developing a dedicated Counter-Unmanned Aerial System (CUAS) grid for the Army, Navy, and Air Force. This specialized network will be designed to detect and destroy enemy drones mid-air, operating independently from existing air defense systems while integrating anti-drone capabilities. The development is expected to send a strong signal to adversaries like Pakistan and China.

Following Operation Sindur, all three branches of the Indian military have intensified efforts to strengthen their aerial defense capabilities. The new CUAS grid will consolidate existing anti-drone systems across the services, enabling real-time surveillance and immediate response to low-altitude unmanned aerial threats.

Unlike the current Integrated Air Command and Control System (IACCS), which manages conventional aerial threats, the CUAS grid will function as a dedicated network for drone defense, preventing overload on existing systems. It will be connected to joint air defense centers (JADCS) and provide a permanent, integrated anti-drone infrastructure.

Officials noted that over the past five to six years, the Army, Navy, and Air Force have acquired various anti-drone technologies. The CUAS grid will unify these systems, improving coordination and response efficiency against hostile drones.

Operation Sindur had previously seen attempts by Pakistani forces to strike Indian civilian and military installations using Turkish and Chinese drones. Indian air defense units successfully intercepted these attacks, with L-70 and ZU-23 guns effectively neutralizing small drones.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh recently emphasized the significance of strengthening India’s air defense during the 68th founding anniversary of DRDO headquarters. He stated that DRDO will play a crucial role in deploying air defense systems to protect key installations over the next decade, further enhancing India’s aerial security capabilities.