Drones are reshaping how wars are fought, the flat plains of Ukraine are punctuated with burnt out tank hulls and many critical centres of global energy supply have been shut across West Asia due to this new scourge on the modern battlefield. Armed forces across the world are struggling to effectively counter these weapons, India has already demonstrated how to counter this threat last year, as the army and the air force destroyed Pakistan’s drone onslaught. Now, the army is procuring new types of aerial targets to stay a step ahead against threats.The Army Air Defence is seeking to strengthen its training regime by procuring three distinct types of target systems that replicate evolving aerial threats. The army has issued RFIs for three different types of targets to keep its air defence gunners well trained. The systems sought by the army are intermediate target system (rocket), basic target systems to train against swarm drones and multirotor copter to provide realistic practice environments for crews and detachments. These systems are intended to prepare personnel to counter threats ranging from advanced aircraft to cruise missiles to unmanned aerial systems and slow-moving helicopters.
The intermediate target system (rocket) is designed to simulate fast-moving aerial threats for infrared-based air defence missiles. With a minimum speed requirement of 180 metres per second and endurance of at least 30 seconds, the rocket target must generate a strong heat signature to allow effective lock-on by in-service heat-seeking missiles. It is expected to operate at altitudes above 4200 metres at launch, reaching over 1500 metres in flight, with a range exceeding six kilometres. Quick preparation time under 15 minutes ensures flexibility during training exercises. Seeking a target that can be flown at 4,200 meters or 14,000 feet above sea level means that the army is training to fight against threats in the high-altitude frontier against China.The basic target system for swarm drones provides a versatile training tool at the unit level, replicating the growing challenge posed by drone swarms. A set of 12 drones capable of autonomous swarming within a confined area will be used to train crews in engaging multiple aerial targets simultaneously. These drones, equipped with vertical take-off and landing capability, will be controlled via a ground station and are intended to be engaged by both conventional air defence weapons and directed energy systems. With endurance of 30 minutes and operational range of 10 kilometres, they offer reusable and modular training solutions.The basic target system (multirotor copter) is intended to mimic the flight profile of a slow-moving helicopter. This system will allow units to practice engagements at ranges between 1.5 and 15 kilometres. Capable of speeds up to 30 metres per second and endurance of 45 minutes in clean configuration, the copter can be remotely controlled and reused if it survives post-engagement. Operating at altitudes above 1000 metres, it provides a realistic target for honing air defence skills against rotary-wing threats.These three target systems represent a comprehensive approach to training, ensuring that the Army Air Defence units are prepared to counter the full spectrum of aerial threats in modern warfare.
