Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) has given the venerable Bofors 40mm L/70 autocannon a 21st-century upgrade by integrating its advanced Drone Guard System (DGS). This modernization enhances the L/70's capabilities to counter modern aerial threats, particularly unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) or drones, while showcasing India's growing expertise in indigenous defence technology.
The upgraded Bofors L/70 now features BEL's DGS, specifically designed to detect, track, and neutralize rogue drones. This provides a multi-layered defence system, capable of both jamming drones electronically and destroying them kinetically using the autocannon.
This enhanced system offers a cost-effective solution for defending critical infrastructure, military bases, and urban areas against drone incursions. It effectively addresses both traditional aerial threats, like helicopters and low-flying aircraft, and modern challenges such as swarm drone attacks.
Key Features of the Drone Guard System:
- Integrated Defence: Combines electronic jamming with the L/70's kinetic capabilities for a multi-layered defence against drones.
- Detection: Uses radio frequencies (RF) to detect drones, identifying them based on their communication and control signals.
- Tracking: Employs an Electro-Optical and Infrared (EO-IR) sensor for continuous tracking, ensuring accurate targeting even in challenging conditions.
- Neutralization: Jams drone communication frequencies, disrupting control links and rendering them inoperative.
This innovation also opens up opportunities for exporting this hybrid system to other nations operating the Bofors L/70 and facing drone threats. With the increasing global demand for counter-drone solutions, BEL's technology could position India as a leader in this domain.
