New Delhi: As part of its efforts to bolster air defense capabilities, India is developing a Joint Counter Unmanned Aerial System (CUAS) grid, designed to counter enemy drone attacks. The initiative aims to monitor all drone activities and integrate various counter-drone systems developed by the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force.
While the government is also working on creating a comprehensive air defense shield under the “Mission Sudarshan Chakra,” the armed forces are taking significant steps to neutralize drone threats. The CUAS grid will operate separately from India’s existing air defense networks, such as the Indian Air Force’s Integrated Air Command and Control System (IACCS).
Role of the Three Armed Forces in CUAS Integration
The Joint CUAS grid will be developed alongside existing Joint Air Defense Centers (JADC), incorporating the counter-drone systems of all three services. This grid will be tasked with monitoring hostile or rogue drone activities and will be deployed to track and counter drone-based threats. The CUAS system will alleviate the burden on existing air defense networks, which would otherwise be overwhelmed by the task of monitoring small drones and unmanned aerial systems (UAS).
Over the past 5 to 10 years, the armed forces have procured a wide array of counter-drone defense systems, and the CUAS grid will integrate these systems into a unified framework. The goal is to enhance operational coordination between the Army, Navy, and Air Force, ensuring a comprehensive response to potential drone attacks.
Why CUAS is Needed
The need for a dedicated CUAS grid became evident during Operation Sindoor when the Pakistani military attempted to use Turkish and Chinese drones to target Indian civilian and military installations. Despite the scale of the attack, Indian forces, particularly the Army’s Air Defense, successfully thwarted these drone threats. The Indian Army used its L-70 and ZU-23 air-defense guns to effectively neutralize small drones, preventing significant damage.
In response to the evolving drone threat, the Indian Army is now also working on deploying air-defense guns in populated areas to protect civilian and military assets from potential drone and aerial attacks. At a higher level, the government is pursuing the creation of an air defense shield under Mission Sudarshan Chakra, with a dedicated committee already formed to oversee the initiative.
The Chief of Defense Staff (CDS) is responsible for integrating the three armed forces and enhancing coordination between them to ensure a unified and effective defense strategy.