SHILLONG: Zen Technologies on Wednesday showcased India’s first AI-powered fully integrated anti-drone system during the Multilateral Joint Exercise Pragati-I 2026 at the Foreign Training Node in Umroi, Meghalaya, drawing attention from defence representatives of 15 friendly foreign countries.
The indigenously developed platform marks a major milestone in India’s push toward defence self-reliance and advanced battlefield technologies. The system has been designed to counter emerging threats posed by low-cost First Person View (FPV) drones and coordinated swarm attacks, which have increasingly been used in modern warfare.
According to officials, the anti-drone system offers wideband frequency coverage ranging from 70 MHz to 12 GHz, enabling it to detect and disrupt a wide spectrum of drone communication channels. It also features an extended surveillance capability with a detection range exceeding 15 kilometres and the ability to simultaneously track over 100 drones, making it effective against swarm threats.
The platform incorporates a layered neutralization architecture, including radio frequency (RF) jamming, GNSS jamming and spoofing, and integration with remote-controlled weapon stations and air defence systems. Additionally, it is supported by a high-sensitivity indigenous radar capable of detecting low radar cross-section drones at distances of up to 20 kilometres.
At the core of the system is an intelligent Data Fusion and Command Centre that integrates inputs from multiple sensors and applies advanced algorithms for real-time threat classification, tracking, and response.
Designed for operational flexibility, the system can be deployed in three configurations—vehicle-mounted for mobile defence operations, man-portable for use by ground troops during patrols and counter-insurgency missions, and fixed installations for the protection of critical infrastructure and military bases.
The demonstration at Pragati-I 2026 highlighted India’s growing capabilities in indigenous defence innovation and its commitment to developing cutting-edge technologies to address evolving global security challenges.
