Hyderabad-based private sector firm, Grene Robotics, has achieved a significant milestone in the realm of defense technology. The company recently showcased its groundbreaking weapons platform, Indrajaal, which it proudly claims to be the world’s first autonomous wide-area counter-unmanned aircraft system (C-UAS). This innovative system is not only poised to revolutionize Indian defense technology but also tackle the growing threat of drones on a global scale.
A Game-Changer in Defense Technology
Grene Robotics, a Hyderabad-based private sector entity, has unveiled its remarkable creation, Indrajaal, which is poised to redefine the world of defense technology. This cutting-edge system, known as the world’s only autonomous wide area counter-unmanned aircraft system (C-UAS), is a groundbreaking development in Indian defense technology.
Guarding Against the Full Spectrum of Drones
What sets Indrajaal apart is its capability to protect against a wide range of drones, from the smallest micro drones to the largest extra-large ones. This marks a significant leap in India’s defense capabilities, addressing the ever-increasing threat posed by drones to both public and private infrastructure.
A Homegrown Initiative
The development of Indrajaal is a testament to Grene Robotics’ commitment to innovation and self-reliance. The company has not only invested its own resources but has also harnessed its scientific and technological expertise to create live demonstrations for government officials and tri-services officers.
High Praise from the Top Brass
The official unveiling of Indrajaal took place in the presence of Lieutenant General Gurmit Singh, the governor of Uttarakhand. General Singh lauded the system as a groundbreaking advancement in defense technology, one that would reshape the security landscape for defense, public, and private infrastructure. His extensive experience in army equipment procurement lends weight to his endorsement of Indrajaal’s significance.
Meeting Urgent Security Needs
General Singh emphasized that Indrajaal is not only a boost to India’s self-reliant military capabilities but also addresses the pressing need to defend against the escalating drone threat, a challenge that has gained prominence in recent times.
Trials Underway in Hyderabad
The ongoing trial of Indrajaal is being conducted at Grene Robotics’ expansive 79-acre test facility in Hyderabad, a testament to the company’s dedication to thoroughly testing and fine-tuning this cutting-edge technology.
Countering the Surge in Hostile UAS Activity
In the past decade, particularly in the aftermath of conflicts such as the Azerbaijan-Armenia and Ukraine-Russia wars, there has been a significant increase in hostile unmanned aerial system (UAS) activity worldwide. India’s defense forces have encountered and thwarted numerous attempts to infiltrate the country with weapons, illicit funds, and narcotics via drones.
Pakistan’s Drone Missions
Intelligence reports have shed light on Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) agency actively plotting to utilize drones for smuggling weapons and narcotics into India’s Jammu and Punjab regions. These missions primarily involve surveillance of Indian security forces, narcotics smuggling, and distributing weapons within Indian territory. Alarmingly, the number of drone-based weapon deliveries has surged over the years, with approximately 200 cases reported in 2023 alone.
The Ingenious Technology Behind Indrajaal
Indrajaal’s design leverages a unique combination of 12 technological layers powered by artificial intelligence, a global first. This multifaceted approach enables the system to detect, identify, classify, track, and promptly neutralize threats in real-time.
360-Degree Protection
Indrajaal provides comprehensive 360-degree protection, effectively safeguarding areas covering up to 4000 square kilometers from all classifications and levels of unmanned autonomous threats. Its capabilities extend to countering low radar cross-section (RCS) threats, medium altitude long endurance (MALE) and high-altitude long endurance (HALE) UAVs, loitering munitions, smart bombs, rocket showers, nano and micro drones, swarm drones, and other contemporary threats.
Addressing Limitations of Current Systems
Existing counter-drone deployments face several limitations. The future airspace will likely host more friendly drones than threats. Current stand-alone systems lack scalability and practicality, while jamming systems can only delay, not halt, an attack. Laser weapons are effective against large, stationary targets, leaving swarm attacks largely unmitigated.
Indrajaal’s Solution
Indrajaal stands out by combining 12 proprietary technologies into a wide-area networked system, addressing the shortcomings of current “point defense-based” anti-UAV systems. This innovation is set to revolutionize India’s defense capabilities, offering robust protection against the growing menace of hostile drones.
In conclusion, Indrajaal represents a remarkable achievement in Indian defense technology, poised to reshape the landscape of security and provide a robust defense against the escalating threat of drones. Grene Robotics’ dedication to innovation and self-reliance has resulted in a groundbreaking system that holds the potential to safeguard India’s interests and infrastructure effectively.
