The Indian Army is seeking to strengthen its counter-unmanned aerial systems (C-UAS), and simultaneously it is pursuing additional armed unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) possessing a surveillance capability.
On 20 February, India’s Ministry of Defence issued a request for information (RfI) for up to 45 drone interception systems plus up to 50 drone catcher systems for the army. They will be deployed across varied Indian terrain – such as plains, deserts and high-altitude areas – in support of field formations and to protect vital installations.
The army is faced with a growing aerial threat from drones with a low radar cross-section (RCS) and employed individually or in swarms. This was experienced last year during operations against Pakistan as part of Operation Sindoor.
The requested drone interception system is required to detect and counter hostile low-RCS drones and UAVs through kinetic means. The system must also be capable of operating independently or in conjunction with existing army air defence systems and other C-UAS assets.
Key performance parameters listed by the army are simultaneous detection and tracking of at least 20 drones. Nor should its deployment time exceed ten minutes. The minimum slant range listed for the drone sensor should not be less than 4km for a 0.001m² RCS, and a minimum of 10km for 0.05m² RCS targets.
The interceptor must defeat hostile drones by direct impact or proximity detonation.
As for the drone catcher system, it should incorporate four net catcher modules per system. A jammer subsystem will also provide C-UAS electronic attack capabilities, including radio frequency denial, and selective global navigation satellite system denial and deception.
Tactical UAV procurement
In a separate RfI issued late last year, the army expressed interest in procuring 20 tactical UAVs in the 800kg weight category. The procurement is targeted at domestic vendors and calls for vertical-take-off-and-landing or short take-off-and-landing configurations.
The platforms will be distributed equally across army formations operating in plains and mountainous terrain. Key requirements include a minimum endurance of eight hours and the ability to carry two different payload types simultaneously. It also needs to be able to carry a minimum weapons package of 200kg on at least two hardpoints.
Payload options for the sizeable UAV include electro-optic/infrared sensors, communication intelligence, foliage penetrating radar, synthetic aperture radar, electronic intelligence and communications relay.
A single system will comprise one ground control station that controls two UAVs, associated payloads and two remote vehicle terminals.
High-altitude performance requirements specify the ability for the unmanned aircraft to be launched from high-altitude elevations of 4,500m above mean sea level, and the ability to undertake sustained operations at altitudes not less than 7,315m.
by Mike Rajkumar
