New Delhi: SHIELD Program has been launched by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) to develop an advanced S-Band High-Power Microwave (HPM) Integrated Evaluation System.
The project aims to help India evaluate how electronic systems respond to powerful microwave attacks and accelerate indigenous directed-energy weapon technologies. The initiative is being pursued under DRDO’s Technology Development Fund (TDF), which promotes industry-led defence innovation and self-reliance.
The new system is expected to play a key role in strengthening India’s capabilities in electronic warfare, counter-drone technologies, and future non-kinetic weapons.
What Is The SHIELD Program
SHIELD stands for an advanced evaluation platform designed to study the effects of S-Band High-Power Microwave radiation on electronic systems.
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Unlike traditional weapons that destroy targets through physical impact, high-power microwave systems can disable or damage electronic equipment using concentrated electromagnetic energy. Such technologies are increasingly becoming an important part of modern military operations worldwide.
Main Objective Of SHIELD Program
The primary goal of SHIELD is to create a testing and evaluation environment where researchers can measure the vulnerability of electronic systems to microwave-based attacks.
The platform will help defence scientists understand how communication systems, sensors, radars, and control networks behave when exposed to high-power electromagnetic energy.
What are the Features Of The SHIELD System
According to the Request For Proposal (RFP), the SHIELD platform will include several advanced capabilities.
High Electric Field Strength
The system is expected to generate a peak electric field strength of at least 3 kV/m in the far field. This level is considered important for evaluating the resilience of electronic equipment against microwave radiation.
Gallium Nitride Technology
SHIELD will use Gallium Nitride (GaN)-based Solid State Power Amplifier (SSPA) technology. GaN devices are known for higher power output, improved efficiency, lower heat generation, and greater reliability compared to many conventional technologies.
Flexible Pulse Modes
The platform will support multiple pulse modes and adjustable duty cycles. This flexibility will allow researchers to simulate different electromagnetic attack scenarios and study their impact on military and civilian electronic systems.
Advanced Thermal Management
DRDO plans to integrate advanced cooling and thermal management solutions. These systems will help ensure stable performance during extended testing operations, which is critical for high-power microwave applications.
Why High-Power Microwave Weapons Matter
High-Power Microwave weapons are part of the broader directed-energy weapon family. Instead of firing missiles or bullets, these systems use electromagnetic energy to disrupt or destroy electronic circuits. They are viewed as effective tools against drones, communication networks, radar systems, and other electronic targets.
Many countries, including the United States, China, Russia, and the United Kingdom, are investing heavily in directed-energy technologies because of their ability to neutralize threats without causing large-scale physical destruction.
Potential Counter-Drone Applications
One of the most promising applications of microwave weapons is counter-drone warfare. Drone swarms are becoming a major battlefield challenge. High-power microwave systems can potentially disable multiple drones simultaneously by damaging onboard electronics, making them an attractive solution for future defence operations.
How SHIELD Program Supports India’s Defence Modernisation
The SHIELD project aligns with India’s broader push for indigenous defence technologies under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat vision. By developing a dedicated evaluation platform, India can reduce dependence on foreign testing infrastructure and speed up the development of advanced directed-energy weapons.
The program is also expected to support future countermeasures that can protect military assets, communication systems, and critical infrastructure from electromagnetic threats.
Industry Participation Through Technology Development Fund
The Technology Development Fund encourages participation from private industry and startups. Through the SHIELD program, DRDO aims to involve Indian companies in developing key technologies related to high-power microwave systems, advanced electronics, and electromagnetic testing infrastructure.
Strategic Importance For India
The launch of SHIELD reflects India’s growing focus on next-generation warfare technologies. Modern conflicts increasingly involve electronic warfare, cyber operations, drones, and non-kinetic weapons. Developing indigenous microwave-based evaluation and testing systems will help India prepare for future battlefield requirements.
Experts believe that a robust testing ecosystem is essential before operational directed-energy weapons can be deployed on land, air, or naval platforms. SHIELD is expected to become a critical building block in that journey.
FAQs
The SHIELD Program is a DRDO initiative to develop an S-Band High-Power Microwave evaluation system that can test and measure the impact of microwave radiation on electronic systems.
High-power microwave weapons use electromagnetic energy to disable or damage electronic systems such as drones, sensors, radars, and communication equipment.
SHIELD will support indigenous directed-energy weapon development, strengthen electronic warfare research, improve counter-drone capabilities, and promote self-reliance in defence technology.
