In response to the rapidly changing dynamics of modern combat, the Indian military is urgently calling on the private sector to develop specialised anti-drone technology for its aircraft.
Issued under the recently launched 14th edition of the Defence India Start-up Challenge (DISC-14), the requirement aims to protect helicopters from the rising threat of First-Person View (FPV) and kamikaze drones.
Unveiled in March 2026 by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, DISC-14 heavily emphasises indigenous innovation to secure India's strategic autonomy amid global geopolitical shifts.
This initiative directly draws on lessons from ongoing global conflicts, where small, inexpensive drones have entirely reshaped battlefield tactics.
The Indian Army's primary goal is to acquire a compact, flight-approved Counter-Unmanned Aerial System (C-UAS).
This apparatus must seamlessly integrate into existing rotary-wing aircraft, providing pilots with instantaneous threat detection, early warnings, and the immediate ability to neutralise incoming hostiles.
Currently, India's diverse helicopter fleet—ranging from utility transports to advanced attack platforms like the indigenous Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) Prachand—faces unprecedented risks.
Hostile forces are increasingly utilising stealthy, low-profile drones and loitering munitions to ambush helicopters, especially when the aircraft are hovering or flying at low speeds during critical operational phases.
A significant vulnerability currently exists because most helicopters do not possess onboard defence mechanisms against close-range drone strikes. This creates a dangerous blind spot in active combat zones and high-altitude sectors.
While ground-based anti-drone weapons are standard, they cannot adequately protect mobile aircraft.
Furthermore, globally available airborne electronic warfare suites are generally too heavy, consume excessive power, and require reliance on foreign supply chains, making them unsuitable for outfitting the broader Indian fleet.
To solve this, the military requires a system capable of identifying a broad spectrum of threats, from basic commercial quadcopters to sophisticated military-grade drones.
The technology should primarily utilise passive sensors for stealth, augmented by miniaturised active sensors for precision.
Upon detecting a hazard, the system must safely disable the approaching drone using targeted jamming, all while guaranteeing that the helicopter’s own avionics and communication equipment remain completely undisturbed.
Creating this solution will demand a synthesis of multiple advanced technologies.
It will require continuous radio frequency monitoring to intercept drone command signals, paired with Artificial Intelligence (AI) to instantly classify and prioritise threats.
The core defensive action will rely on directional radio and GPS jamming to effectively blind the attacking drone without causing interference to friendly units.
Once operational, these protective systems are slated for deployment across all branches of Army Aviation.
They will be vital for safeguarding high-altitude logistics missions, armed patrols, and forward combat operations where stationary ground defences cannot keep up with advancing troops.
A helicopter-mounted defence ensures that continuous, moving protection is always available in unpredictable environments.
As armed forces worldwide struggle to defend against the proliferation of lethal drones, the international demand for airborne counter-measures is surging.
Successfully developing this technology domestically will not only fortify India’s own military assets but could also firmly establish the country as a leading global exporter of cutting-edge defence technology.
