Marking Kargil Vijay Diwas, Zen Technologies Limited has introduced India’s first indigenous High-Altitude Man-Portable Anti-Drone System (MPADS), a lightweight counter-unmanned aerial system (C-UAS) developed to enhance the operational capabilities of security forces deployed in mountainous and remote regions. The launch pays tribute to the courage and sacrifice of the Indian Armed Forces while addressing the growing threat posed by hostile drones in high-altitude and border areas. Designed for rapid deployment, the portable system provides frontline troops with an effective solution for detecting, tracking and neutralising unmanned aerial threats in terrain where vehicle-mounted platforms have limited mobility.
Engineered for operational flexibility, the High-Altitude MPADS integrates wideband radio frequency (RF) detection, intelligent data fusion and omni-directional jamming into a compact, mission-ready platform. The system can be carried by soldiers or transported using pack animals, all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) and unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs), ensuring reliable deployment across demanding environments.
The solution offers drone detection ranges of up to 5 km through continuous RF scanning across the 400 MHz to 6 GHz spectrum. Its omni-directional jamming capability extends up to 3 km, disrupting both drone command links and Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) signals. The system is also equipped to detect multiple drones and swarm attacks while supporting round-the-clock, all-weather operations.
At the core of the platform is Zen Technologies’ RF-Based Drone Detector (RFDD), which uses Correlative Interferometry and Digital Beamforming to accurately identify the bearing of hostile drones. The RFDD works alongside a Data Fusion and Command Centre (DFCC), which consolidates information from multiple sensors into a unified operational picture. This enables operators to monitor airspace, classify aerial threats, analyse spectrum activity and make timely engagement decisions.
As drone activity continues to rise in strategically sensitive regions, portable counter-drone capabilities have become increasingly important for force protection. The new system expands India’s indigenous defence technology portfolio with a scalable solution designed to support troops across a wide range of operational scenarios.
Zen Technologies has been developing defence training and anti-drone solutions for more than three decades. Headquartered in Hyderabad, the company operates a Ministry of Science and Technology-recognised research and development centre and advanced manufacturing facility. With more than 200 patent applications and over 10,000 systems supplied globally, Zen Technologies continues to deliver specialised defence technologies that enhance combat preparedness and address emerging security challenges for armed forces and homeland security agencies.
