India’s critical infrastructure is facing a growing requirement for protection against unauthorised and potentially hostile drones. Indian counter-drone company Indrajaal has introduced Indrajaal Infra, a system designed to protect sensitive sites such as nuclear facilities, ports, oil installations and power grids. According to the company, the system can detect incoming drones from distances of up to 8 km. It can reportedly track and identify targets at ranges of around 3 km, while its stated neutralisation capability extends to approximately 2 km. The system uses a layered approach intended to give security personnel additional time to assess and respond to an approaching UAV. RF jamming can disrupt the communication link between a drone and its operator, while GNSS spoofing can interfere with the navigation system of a UAV that continues operating despite communication disruption. Depending on the type and configuration of the drone, these countermeasures could cause it to lose its intended route, crash, retreat or otherwise fail to reach its target. Indrajaal claims that Indrajaal Infra can achieve up to 95% mitigation against a broad range of UAVs, including commercial drones, FPV platforms, DIY systems and swarm formations. The company also describes the platform as an autonomous system capable of operating continuously during day and night and across different weather conditions. Its vehicle-deployable design provides additional flexibility, allowing the system to be repositioned according to security requirements. Indrajaal states that the system can be installed and made operational within 48 hours of arriving at a location. It has also been designed to operate in accordance with civilian airspace requirements. The development comes as inexpensive drones become increasingly accessible and capable. Small UAVs can be used for legitimate commercial purposes, but they can also be employed for surveillance, smuggling or attacks against sensitive facilities. This has increased demand for systems capable of detecting threats early and providing multiple methods of response.
