New Delhi: The Indian army counter-UAS Tank upgrade programme has received a major boost as the Ministry of Defence has approved a proposal to equip existing battle tanks with integrated anti-drone systems.
The move aims to improve battlefield survivability against the growing threat of drones and loitering munitions. According to reports, the upgrade will be carried out on frontline tanks such as the T-90 Bhishma, T-72 Ajeya, and indigenous Arjun tanks, helping them detect, track, and neutralize hostile drones more effectively.
What is the Reason of Indian Army Counter UAS Tank Upgrade Programme
Modern warfare has changed rapidly in recent years. Conflicts around the world have shown that small and low-cost drones can destroy expensive armoured vehicles. These drones are used for surveillance, target identification, artillery correction, and direct attacks.
Read also: Inside The Indian Army’s Secret Weapon Against Deadly Drone Attacks
Traditional air-defence systems are often designed to engage aircraft and missiles. However, small drones fly at low altitudes and can be difficult to detect. This has created a new challenge for tank formations operating near the front line.
To address this threat, the Indian Army plans to install dedicated Counter-Unmanned Aerial System (C-UAS) technology directly on battle tanks, allowing them to defend themselves without depending entirely on external air-defence units.
What Is A Counter-UAS System
A Counter-UAS system is designed to detect, identify, track, and neutralize hostile drones. These systems combine sensors, radars, cameras, electronic warfare equipment, and interception mechanisms to stop unmanned aerial threats before they can attack military assets.
What are the Features Of A Counter-UAS System
A typical vehicle-mounted Counter-UAS system performs four important tasks:
- Detection of drones
- Identification of threats
- Tracking drone movement
- Neutralization or destruction of hostile drones
This layered approach increases the chances of stopping an attack before it reaches the tank.
How Indian Army Counter UAS Tank Upgrade Programme Will Work
The upgraded tanks are expected to use compact radars and electro-optical sensors. These systems continuously scan the airspace around the vehicle and identify low-flying drones approaching from different directions.
Soft-Kill Measures
Soft-kill systems focus on disrupting the drone rather than physically destroying it. Electronic warfare equipment can jam radio signals, GPS navigation signals, or communication links between the drone and its operator. This can force the drone to lose control or return to its launch point.
Hard-Kill Measures
Some drones can operate autonomously and may not be affected by jamming. In such cases, hard-kill solutions are used. These may include automated interceptors, directed-energy systems, or specialized anti-drone weapons that physically destroy the incoming threat.
Tanks Expected To Receive The Upgrade
The Indian Army’s armoured fleet mainly consists of:
T-90 Bhishma
The T-90 is India’s primary main battle tank and forms the backbone of many armoured regiments. Recent modernization efforts have focused on improving protection, sensors, and battlefield awareness.
T-72 Ajeya
Although older than the T-90, the T-72 remains an important part of India’s armoured strength and continues to receive upgrades to improve combat effectiveness.
Arjun Main Battle Tank
India’s indigenous Arjun tank is also expected to benefit from advanced battlefield technologies as the Army seeks greater survivability against modern threats.
Benefits For The Indian Army
Tanks will be able to detect and engage drone threats independently, reducing vulnerability during combat operations.
Faster Threat Response
Onboard sensors and anti-drone equipment can react immediately without waiting for support from separate air-defence units.
Better Operational Flexibility
Armoured formations can operate more confidently in drone-heavy environments while maintaining mobility and combat effectiveness.
Support For Indigenous Defence Industry
The project could create opportunities for Indian companies specializing in radars, sensors, electronic warfare systems, and counter-drone technologies, supporting the government’s Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative.
Read also: Why The Indian Army Is Turning Apache Helicopters Into Drone Killers
FAQs
The upgrade is expected to be implemented on frontline tanks including the T-90 Bhishma, T-72 Ajeya, and potentially the indigenous Arjun tank fleet.
A Counter-UAS system is a technology designed to detect, track, identify, and neutralize hostile drones using sensors, electronic warfare equipment, and interception systems.
Modern drones can identify, track, and attack tanks with high precision. Integrated anti-drone systems help tanks detect and defeat these threats, significantly improving battlefield survivability.
