On the occasion of Kargil Vijay Diwas, Zen Technologies Limited, one of India’s leading defence technology companies, unveiled its High-Altitude Man-Portable Anti-Drone System (MPADS), an indigenous and lightweight counter-unmanned aerial system (C-UAS) designed to safeguard troops operating in mountainous and remote regions.
The launch honours the bravery and sacrifice of the Indian Armed Forces during the Kargil War while addressing the growing threat posed by drones in modern high-altitude combat. Engineered for rapid deployment in rugged terrain where vehicle-mounted systems are difficult to operate, the MPADS integrates advanced radio frequency (RF) detection, intelligent data fusion, and omni-directional jamming into a compact, mission-ready platform. The system can be transported by soldiers, pack animals, all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), or unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs), ensuring operational flexibility across challenging environments.
Key Features
The system offers drone detection ranges of up to 5 kilometres through continuous wideband RF scanning across the 400 MHz to 6 GHz spectrum. It provides omni-directional jamming up to 3 kilometres, simultaneously disrupting drone command-and-control links and Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) signals. The platform also supports multi-target and swarm detection, enabling security forces to respond effectively to coordinated drone attacks. Built on an indigenous architecture, the system is designed for 24/7, all-weather operations.
At the core of the solution is Zen Technologies’ RF-Based Drone Detector (RFDD), which employs Correlative Interferometry and Digital Beamforming technologies to accurately determine the direction of hostile drones. The RFDD is integrated with a Data Fusion & Command Centre (DFCC) that consolidates information from multiple sensors into a unified tactical picture, enabling operators to monitor airspace, classify aerial threats, analyse spectrum activity, and make rapid engagement decisions.
As drone activity continues to increase across high-altitude and border regions, portable counter-drone systems are becoming an essential element of frontline force protection. Zen Technologies’ latest indigenous solution enhances India’s defence capabilities by providing a scalable, rapidly deployable platform capable of detecting, tracking, and neutralising aerial threats in demanding operational environments.
