TL;DR – Quick Summary
The Indian Army is seeking a lightweight helicopter-mounted counter-drone system to protect combat helicopters from FPV and kamikaze drones. The requirement will be developed through the DISC-14 innovation challenge under Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX). The system will initially equip the HAL LCH Prachand and later integrate with other Indian Army helicopter platforms.
The Indian Army is moving to strengthen the survivability of its combat helicopters against the rapidly growing threat of small attack drones. Through the DISC-14 innovation challenge under Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX), the Army is seeking an indigenous helicopter-mounted counter-drone system capable of detecting and neutralizing FPV and loitering munitions during low-altitude operations.
The proposed airborne counter-drone system is expected to first equip the HAL LCH Prachand, India’s dedicated attack helicopter, which frequently operates in high-risk combat environments. The initiative reflects a broader shift in modern warfare, where lessons from conflicts such as the Russian invasion of Ukraine have highlighted how inexpensive drones can threaten even heavily armed aerial platforms.
Modern battlefields are witnessing an explosive growth of cheap FPV drones and loitering munitions capable of targeting armored vehicles, artillery, and even helicopters during low-altitude operations.
Lessons from the Russian invasion of Ukraine have shown that small drones can strike helicopters hovering for troop insertion or close-air-support missions. Similar vulnerabilities were highlighted during India’s 2025 cross-border counter-terror operations, where drones were used for surveillance and precision attacks.
To address this threat, the Indian Army plans to deploy an indigenous Counter-Unmanned Aerial System (C-UAS) designed specifically for helicopters operating in contested airspace.
Technical Requirements for the Helicopter C-UAS
The airborne counter-drone system must be lightweight, flight-certified, and compatible with helicopter avionics.
Key technical features include:
Detection
- Passive RF spectrum monitoring
- AI/ML-based signal classification
- Detection of low-signature FPV drone communications
Neutralization (Soft-Kill)
- Directional RF jamming to disrupt drone control links
- GNSS jamming to disable satellite navigation
Integration
- Avionics-neutral architecture
- Minimal electromagnetic interference with onboard radar and targeting systems
Threat Profile
- First-person-view (FPV) attack drones
- Loitering munitions
- Small reconnaissance UAVs
The system must also operate effectively during low-altitude hover operations, where helicopters are most vulnerable.
Helicopter Platforms Planned for Integration
| Platform | Status | Role for Counter-Drone System |
|---|---|---|
| HAL LCH Prachand | Active/Inducted | Primary attack helicopter requiring protection during close-air-support |
| HAL Dhruv / Rudra | Active | Utility, armed reconnaissance and escort missions |
| HAL Light Utility Helicopter | Induction Phase | Lightweight detection during scouting and surveillance |
The LCH Prachand will be the primary platform due to its role in high-altitude combat operations along India’s northern borders.
DISC-14: Accelerating Indigenous Counter-Drone Innovation
The solution will be developed through DISC-14, an innovation challenge under Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX). The initiative encourages Indian startups and defence technology firms to design next-generation systems tailored to operational requirements of the Indian armed forces.
By leveraging the startup ecosystem, the programme aims to deliver a rapidly deployable indigenous counter-drone capability rather than relying on imported electronic warfare systems.
Strategic Impact
If successfully developed, the airborne counter-drone system could significantly enhance the survivability of Indian Army helicopters operating in drone-saturated battlefields.
With FPV drones increasingly becoming a low-cost precision strike weapon, integrating helicopter-mounted counter-drone protection may become as essential as missile warning systems and electronic countermeasures in future aerial warfare.
For India, the programme represents another step toward self-reliant electronic warfare capabilities and improved protection for frontline aviation assets.
