Defense

The field evaluation reportedly ran across a 72-hour operational window and involved multi-aircraft autonomous tactical cells operating over a simulated contested perimeter of around 20,000 square metres. The drones were tested through rapid tasking cycles and mission scenarios designed to examine coordination, resilience and autonomous decision support.

In combat, speed is everything. Rockets, artillery shells and drones may offer only seconds or minutes of reaction time. A radar that can quickly detect launch, classify trajectory and generate engagement-quality tracks gives commanders precious time. This is why multi-mission radars have become essential to modern armies.

INDRA-I represents an important phase in Indian defence electronics. It came at a time when India needed mobile air-surveillance radars that could detect low-flying aircraft, support forward air-defence units, provide early warning to weapon crews and reduce dependence on imported systems. It became one of DRDO’s early high-power radar achievements and helped establish the foundation for later Indian radars such as INDRA-II, Rohini, Bharani, Rajendra, Reporter and other battlefield surveillance systems.

The vessel is part of a major indigenous shipbuilding contract signed between the Ministry of Defence and MDL on 20 December 2023. Under the programme, six Next Generation Offshore Patrol Vessels are being constructed for the Indian Coast Guard under the Buy Indian-IDDM category. This makes the project a strong example of India’s growing defence manufacturing depth, where design, development and construction are being carried out within the country.

The Netra AEW&C system has been developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation through its Centre for Airborne Systems in Bengaluru. It is based on the Embraer EMB-145 aircraft platform and carries a suite of mission systems that turn the aircraft into a flying command, control and surveillance centre. DRDO describes the system as an airborne platform equipped with sensors for locating and providing early warning of airborne targets, sea-surface targets and hostile emissions, while also giving information to onboard controllers and ground stations.

In modern land warfare, artillery remains one of the most destructive forces on the battlefield. Guns, rocket launchers and mortars can fire from concealed positions and move quickly before retaliation arrives. This “shoot and scoot” threat makes weapon-locating radars essential. SWATHI addresses this challenge by turning the enemy’s own projectile into a clue. Once a shell or rocket is fired, the radar tracks its flight path and mathematically works backwards to locate the weapon that launched it.

Along with the headquarters project, three completed infrastructure facilities were inaugurated. These include the Subordinate Officers’ Mess “Aditya” at the National Industrial Security Academy in Hyderabad, built at a cost of ₹34.22 crore, and the Advanced Training Building “Abhyas”, also at NISA Hyderabad, constructed at a cost of ₹20.53 crore. In Tamil Nadu, the Subordinate Officers’ Quarters at the 4th Reserve Battalion in Amravatipuram, Sivagangai, were inaugurated at a cost of ₹5.50 crore.