DRDO Building Indigenous Sensor, AI and Counter-Drone Stack for Border Security
DRDO is developing indigenous sensors, AI algorithms and counter-drone systems to strengthen surveillance along India's borders, its Electronics & Communication Systems chief said.
India is working towards a more self-reliant border security architecture, with the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) developing indigenous technologies across the surveillance and response chain, according to BK Das, Director General, Electronics & Communication Systems, DRDO.
Das said the organisation is pursuing a range of systems that cover the full security cycle — from detecting and tracking intruders to relaying threat information and neutralising hostile platforms.
The technologies under development include fibre-optics-based intruder detection systems, high-resolution cameras, infrared tracking, hyperspectral and multispectral systems, radar, radar imaging and synthetic aperture radar.
"India has got a huge border which is our responsibility to protect and it does not happen only with infrastructure, it happens with technology," Das said.
Communication and counter-drone focus
DRDO is also working on next-generation communication technologies so that surveillance and detection systems are backed by robust communications infrastructure.
Counter-drone capabilities form another major focus area. Das said the first generation of such systems has already been developed, handed over to industry for production and deployed in critical areas.
These systems use radar and electro-optic technologies to detect and identify drones before assessing whether they pose a threat. They can employ both "soft kill" and "hard kill" mechanisms, with electronic disruption used as an initial response and directed-energy systems, including lasers, available for neutralisation when required.
Das said India has developed a series of laser systems across different power levels and is working on future generations of counter-drone technology.
AI for threat identification
Artificial intelligence and machine learning-based algorithms are being developed to improve threat identification and decision-making. Das referred to work on AI engines and algorithms to decide identification, friend or foe (IFF), along with advanced radar analysis and multiple radar technologies.
On reducing dependence on imported defence technologies, Das said DRDO has identified critical areas where indigenous development is required so that core technology remains within the country. These include sensors, detection systems, cameras, radar-related chips, algorithms and communication systems.
"Sooner, all the systems will be completely indigenous and with more power and with more autonomy," he said, adding that retaining control over critical technologies would give India a decisive edge in future conflicts.