Bengaluru-based deep-tech company Astrome Technologies has announced its selection as the winner of the Indian Army’s Defence India Startup Challenge 14 (DISC 14) under the Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) programme. The company will develop a next-generation man-portable Electronic Intelligence (ELINT) system incorporating Electronic Support Measures (ESM) capabilities for tactical military operations.
In its official announcement, Astrome confirmed that the project will focus on wideband threat detection, accurate direction finding and real-time electronic signal processing. The proposed equipment will support electronic warfare operations in demanding environments, including high-altitude and forward-border areas.
The Indian Army identified the requirement as Challenge 7 under DISC 14, formally titled Man-portable ELINT System with ESM Capabilities. The Department of Defence Production published the challenge as part of the Ministry of Defence’s initiative to develop indigenous military technologies through Indian startups and innovative enterprises.
Astrome’s announcement confirms the company’s reported selection. However, the Department of Defence Production’s public challenge listing still displays the result as awaited. The available official records therefore establish the company’s announcement and the Army’s technical requirement, but do not independently confirm a contract value, grant amount or delivery schedule.
Indian Army Seeks Indigenous Man-Portable Electronic Intelligence Technology
The Indian Army introduced its requirement for a portable electronic intelligence system under the 14th edition of the Defence India Startup Challenge, launched on 19 March 2026.
The challenge sought an indigenous system combining electronic intelligence collection with Electronic Support Measures. Applications closed on 4 May 2026.
Modern military operations increasingly depend on electromagnetic signals generated by surveillance radars, communication networks, navigation systems and other electronic equipment. Analysing these emissions helps military forces understand the electronic activity taking place within an operational area.
Large electronic intelligence systems commonly operate from fixed installations, vehicles, aircraft or naval platforms. Although such systems offer substantial capabilities, their deployment can be difficult in mountainous regions and other locations with limited transport infrastructure.
A man-portable system offers an alternative by allowing personnel to carry specialised electronic surveillance equipment into areas inaccessible to larger platforms.
The Indian Army’s DISC 14 requirement reflects the importance of developing compact electronic intelligence capabilities suited to tactical military operations.
What Is Electronic Intelligence and How Does It Support Military Operations?
Electronic Intelligence, commonly known as ELINT, involves collecting and analysing electromagnetic emissions that do not primarily carry human communications.
Military radars are among the important sources of such emissions. Their signals can reveal information about the types of electronic systems operating in an area and their technical characteristics.
Electronic intelligence equipment analyses parameters such as signal frequency, pulse characteristics, timing and other identifiable features. These observations can help specialists classify electromagnetic emitters and build a more detailed understanding of the electronic environment.
Electronic Support Measures complement these capabilities by detecting, identifying and, where technically possible, locating sources of electromagnetic emissions.
Together, ELINT and ESM technologies contribute to electronic surveillance, threat warning and situational awareness.
For example, identifying the emissions of a surveillance radar can help military personnel understand the presence of an active electronic system. Direction-finding equipment may also provide information about the bearing from which a signal originates.
However, direction finding does not automatically establish an emitter’s precise geographical location. Accurate positioning may require additional observations, multiple receiving stations or other localisation techniques.
These capabilities help military commanders interpret electronic activity without relying exclusively on visual observation.
Astrome to Develop Wideband Threat Detection and Direction-Finding Capabilities
Astrome’s official announcement identifies three principal technological capabilities for the proposed system: wideband threat detection, high-accuracy direction finding and real-time signal processing.
Wideband detection enables electronic intelligence equipment to monitor signals across a broad range of frequencies. This capability is important because military electronic systems operate across different frequency bands and employ various signal characteristics.
Direction finding helps determine the bearing of an electromagnetic emitter. The accuracy of this process depends on several factors, including antenna design, receiving equipment, signal characteristics and the surrounding environment.
Real-time signal processing allows equipment to analyse incoming electromagnetic information rapidly. Advanced digital processing can help identify relevant emissions and present information to operators without requiring every signal to undergo extensive manual examination.
Astrome has stated that the new project will build upon its existing flight-tested ELINT technology baseline.
The company has not publicly disclosed the detailed operating frequency range, receiver sensitivity, equipment weight, power consumption or expected battery endurance of the proposed man-portable system.
Consequently, its final technical capabilities will become clearer as development and testing progress.
Portable Electronic Intelligence Systems for High-Altitude Military Operations
Operating sophisticated electronic equipment in mountainous terrain presents challenges that differ considerably from those encountered at conventional military installations.
High-altitude environments expose equipment to low temperatures, changing atmospheric conditions, difficult terrain and logistical constraints. Military personnel must also balance equipment weight against operational endurance, mobility and power requirements.
Compact electronic intelligence systems can reduce the logistical burden associated with deploying larger surveillance platforms. Their portability may allow military units to establish temporary electronic observation positions and relocate equipment when operational requirements change.
Astrome’s announcement specifically identifies high-altitude and forward-border environments as intended operating conditions for its proposed system.
The development programme will need to address the practical demands of field deployment while maintaining dependable signal reception and processing.
Astrome Brings Experience in Advanced Radio-Frequency and Satellite Technologies
Founded in 2015 at the Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, Astrome specialises in advanced wireless communications, satellite communications and radio-frequency technologies.
The company has developed patented flat-panel phased-array antennas, software-defined modems and electronically controlled beam-steering technologies.
Its GigaMesh platform uses E-band radio technology to deliver high-speed wireless connectivity. The system incorporates an electronically steerable phased-array antenna and automatic link alignment.
Astrome has also developed satellite communication equipment covering several frequency bands and applications.
Its product portfolio includes CUBEINT, a space-based signal intelligence solution designed to detect and analyse electromagnetic emissions.
According to Astrome’s official technical literature, CUBEINT incorporates ELINT and Signal Intelligence (SIGINT) capabilities to support electromagnetic signal detection and analysis from space.
Although the proposed Army equipment is a different application, Astrome’s existing expertise in radio-frequency engineering, signal processing and electronic systems provides a technological foundation for the new development programme.
Astrome Previously Developed Tactical Communications Technology Under iDEX
The latest selection builds upon Astrome’s earlier participation in the Ministry of Defence’s iDEX innovation programme.
According to the company’s official development timeline, Astrome completed its first iDEX challenge in 2025 by developing a Tactical Local Area Network (TAC-LAN) radio for the Indian Army.
The system was designed to provide high-speed wireless connectivity in challenging operational environments.
During 2024, the company conducted trials of its TAC-LAN equipment in deserts, mountainous terrain and other demanding conditions.
Astrome reported achieving data throughput exceeding 240 Mbps across a 20-kilometre E-band wireless connection during its work with the Indian Army.
The company subsequently identified completion of the TAC-LAN development programme as an important milestone in its defence technology activities.
While TAC-LAN focuses on wireless communications, the new ELINT project concerns electronic signal detection and analysis. Both applications draw upon specialised knowledge of antennas, radio-frequency systems and digital signal processing.
iDEX Creates Opportunities for Indian Deep-Tech Companies in Defence Research
The Innovations for Defence Excellence programme operates under the Ministry of Defence through the Defence Innovation Organisation.
Launched in 2018, iDEX aims to encourage startups, MSMEs and individual innovators to develop technologies relevant to India’s defence and aerospace requirements.
The programme connects military organisations with technology developers through clearly defined challenges.
Under this framework, the Armed Forces identify operational and technological requirements. Eligible companies then propose indigenous solutions and participate in the relevant evaluation and development processes.
On 19 March 2026, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh launched DISC 14 and the fourth edition of the Acing Development of Innovative Technologies with iDEX (ADITI) challenges at the National Defence Industries Conclave.
The two initiatives collectively introduced 107 problem statements, comprising 82 under DISC 14 and 25 under ADITI 4.0.
These challenges cover a wide range of emerging technologies, including autonomous systems, military electronics, artificial intelligence and specialised defence equipment.
The Army’s man-portable electronic intelligence requirement forms part of this broader effort to involve Indian innovators in developing technologies suited to military needs.
Indigenous Electronic Warfare Technology Strengthens India’s Defence Industrial Capabilities
Electronic warfare requires specialised hardware, software and engineering expertise. The development of indigenous systems depends on capabilities in radio-frequency reception, antenna technology, digital electronics, embedded computing and signal analysis.
Building these capabilities within India can strengthen domestic expertise in technologies relevant to defence surveillance and electronic security.
Indian startups specialising in advanced communications, semiconductors, sensors and signal processing can contribute to this technological ecosystem.
Astrome’s proposed ELINT system demonstrates how expertise developed for wireless and satellite communications can support new defence applications.
The project also illustrates the growing participation of Indian deep-tech companies in specialised military technology development.
Astrome’s New ELINT Programme Advances India’s Defence Innovation Ecosystem
Astrome’s reported selection under the Indian Army’s DISC 14 challenge represents another development opportunity for a Bengaluru-based company that has already demonstrated indigenous capabilities in advanced radio-frequency engineering.
The proposed man-portable ELINT/ESM system will focus on electronic threat detection, direction finding and real-time signal processing in environments where compact and mobile equipment can provide operational advantages.
Its development remains at an early stage, and the publicly available official information does not establish a completed prototype or an operational deployment.
Nevertheless, the initiative adds a specialised electronic warfare application to Astrome’s existing portfolio of wireless communications and signal intelligence technologies.
The participation of companies such as Astrome in programmes like iDEX is expanding India’s ability to develop advanced defence electronics domestically, strengthening the technological foundation for future indigenous military systems.
References
- Astrome Technologies – Official Company Announcement, October 2026.
Selection under the Indian Army and Defence Innovation Organisation’s iDEX DISC 14 challenge for developing a next-generation man-portable ELINT/ESM system.
www.linkedin.com/company/astrometech - Department of Defence Production, Ministry of Defence – Man-portable ELINT System with ESM Capabilities.
Official DISC 14 challenge record, identifying the Indian Army as the nodal agency, launched on 19 March 2026.
www.ddpmod.gov.in/hi/node/69335 - Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) – DISC 14 Challenge Details.
Official Defence Innovation Organisation portal, including Challenge 7, Man-portable ELINT System with ESM Capabilities.
www.idex.gov.in/challenges-cpt/2486 - Astrome Technologies – Official Corporate Website.
Company background, phased-array antennas, software-defined radio technologies, satellite communication systems and CUBEINT signal intelligence technology.
astrome.co - Astrome Technologies – Corporate Technology Brochure, April 2026.
Description of CUBEINT space-based ELINT/SIGINT technology and the company’s radio-frequency engineering capabilities.
astrome.co/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/sheets.pdf - Astrome Technologies – Official Development Timeline, May 2025.
Details of TAC-LAN development, Indian Army field trials and completion of the company’s earlier iDEX challenge.
astrome.co/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/AstromeTimelineBrochure_08-05-2025.pdf - Innovations for Defence Excellence – Ministry of Defence.
Official programme information, innovation challenges and defence startup development framework.
idex.gov.in
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