India’s Axiscades Technologies has signed a strategic memorandum of understanding (MoU) with French defense manufacturer Cilas to bring the Helma P high-energy laser counter-drone system to India. The collaboration aims to introduce a cutting-edge directed-energy solution capable of strengthening India’s drone-defense network amid increasing unmanned threats. As part of the initiative, the Helma P will be integrated into Axiscades’ indigenous command-and-control (C2) architecture, enhancing responsiveness and interoperability across India’s mobile counter-drone platforms deployed by the armed forces and homeland security agencies.
The partnership is expected to boost India’s long-term defense self-reliance goals under the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative. A major focus will be the indigenization of critical subsystems such as sensors, C2 modules, and maintenance components. By localizing these elements, Axiscades and Cilas intend to reduce lifecycle costs, ensure faster servicing, and strengthen India’s domestic defense supply chain. This move also aligns with India’s strategy to build sovereign capabilities in advanced directed-energy weapons and counter-UAS systems.
The Helma P system is a battle-proven high-energy laser weapon designed to detect, track, identify, and neutralize fast-moving drone threats with pinpoint accuracy. It has demonstrated exceptional performance in both open terrain and dense urban settings—most notably during its deployment at the Paris 2024 Olympics, where it played a crucial role in ensuring airspace security. With an engagement range of up to 1.7 kilometers, Helma P can disable targets through optical jamming or direct physical destruction, offering flexible response options during real-time engagements.
Unlike conventional kinetic counter-drone weapons, the Helma P requires no ammunition, eliminating per-shot costs and reducing the logistical burden during extended operations. The system also operates silently with minimal visual signature, making it a discreet and cost-effective solution for modern battlefield and homeland security missions. Beyond drones, Helma P is capable of neutralizing a wide range of threats — including improvised explosive devices, robots, radars, rockets, artillery, and mortar systems — establishing it as a versatile platform for India’s future defense environment.
