Zen Technologies, a company based in Hyderabad, has announced that it has supplied an indigenous anti-drone system to the Indian Army‘s Air Defence College. This system, known as HK counter-drone technology, incorporates hardkill technology, which is expected to significantly boost the country’s defence against enemy drones.
The Army Air Defence College, located in Gopalpur, Odisha, is a prominent institution where the Indian Army trains its personnel in air defence. This training encompasses countering threats from enemy aircraft, helicopters, and missiles using air defence systems. Recognizing the growing threat of drones in modern warfare, the college has now included counter-drone technology in its curriculum. Soldiers will receive training in anti-drone warfare using the Zen ADS-HK system, as announced by Zen Technologies on their X (formerly Twitter) account.
Zen Technologies has previously supplied soft kill anti-drone systems to the Indian Air Force. Building on this experience, the company has now developed and started manufacturing the Hardkill anti-drone system. The new HK system features an advanced electro-optical tracking system developed in-house. It also includes a day camera, a thermal camera, and a laser range finder, enabling all-weather tracking.
According to Zen Technologies’ website, the Hardkill anti-drone system is equipped with an auto-gun that automatically fires bullets when it detects a drone. The system can align itself with the target and, if necessary, can also surround and capture enemy drones with a net. Additionally, it has the capability to jam radio frequencies, providing a comprehensive defence against drones.
In a related development, Zonet Technology Company from Noida has claimed to provide the Indian Army with 150 loitering munitions designed for high-altitude operations (up to 18,000 feet). These drones can fly up to 500 meters high and have a range of about five kilometers. It is believed that the Indian Army intends to deploy these drones along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China.
These advancements in indigenous anti-drone technology are a significant step forward in strengthening India’s defence capabilities against modern aerial threats.