Indian Navy Pushes for High-Power Microwave Weapons to Counter Emerging Maritime Threats of Drones and Missiles

The Indian Navy is actively pursuing the development of High-Power Microwave (HPM) weapon systems to enhance its maritime capabilities. These advanced directed-energy weapons utilize concentrated microwave energy to disrupt or destroy the electronic systems of targets such as drones and missiles, making them a crucial tool in modern naval warfare.

HPM weapons offer significant advantages over traditional kinetic weapons. They provide rapid engagement, precise targeting, and extensive ammunition capabilities, all while requiring significantly less power. These attributes make them a vital component of modern military strategies, enabling the neutralization of emerging threats with minimal collateral damage.

As research and development progress, HPM systems are poised to play a key role in countering drone swarms, including Autonomous Aerial Vehicles (AAV), Autonomous Combat Aerial Vehicles (ACAV), and Autonomous Surface Vehicles (ASV). While existing countermeasures like kinetic weapons and electronic warfare systems have limitations, particularly against fast-moving targets and in avoiding interference with friendly systems, HPM weapons offer a more precise and adaptable solution.

Currently, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has developed an HPM system with a limited range of 1 kilometer for countering drones. To enhance the Indian Navy's operational effectiveness, it is crucial to extend this range to at least 5 kilometers. This increased range would enable precise engagement of multiple targets in open waters without causing collateral damage, while preserving the operational effectiveness of naval ships.

The ideal HPM system for the Indian Navy should possess the following characteristics:

• Enhanced Neutralization Capabilities: The system must effectively target and disable multiple autonomous vehicles across diverse maritime environments.
• Scalable Power Output:It should allow for adjustments in energy levels based on target distance and engagement requirements without requiring major architectural changes.
• Advanced Components: The system should incorporate compact pulse power sources for efficient microwave transmission and integrated control systems for precise engagement.

By fulfilling these requirements, the Indian Navy can effectively harness the power of HPM technology to safeguard its maritime assets and maintain its dominance in the evolving maritime domain.

 

[R. Singh]

Yes we need DEW and Rail gun mount for our warships !

 

[PKPRS]

This is very important piece of our Air defense network, like Israeli Iron Beam, we need to do it fast.

 

[Varaaah]

The Navy already has an idea. E.g. they want the Japanese antenna tower, where interference is eliminated. So they know how to create disturbance of antennas.

 

[Sandeep]

This is a critical requirement not just for the navy but the entire military. These HPM systems are the best method of destroying any swarm drones attack on a large scale compared to standard jammers or shooting them down.

We need to integrate these systems with our strike corps and all frontline and key bases at the very least as an attack by swarm drones can be difficult to detect and they can be programmed to destroy our jets, radar or SAM defence shield etc. So any first attack on us could cripple our defence capabilities straight away which is why they need these HPM. We should also aim to design, develop and manufacture them 100% indigenously.