Zen Anti-Drone System

Zen Anti-Drone System
TypeCounter-unmanned aircraft system
Place of originIndia
Service history
Used byIndian Army, Indian Air Force
Production history
ManufacturerZen Technologies

Zen Anti-Drone System (ZADS,[1] or Zen ADS-HK in its hard-kill configuration)[2][3] is a counter-unmanned aircraft system (C-UAS) manufactured by Zen Technologies, a defence company headquartered in Hyderabad, India.[4][5][6]

Design

The system uses radio-frequency detection, radar, and electro-optical and infrared cameras. Sensor data is processed at a central command unit to classify targets and direct responses. The radio-frequency detection unit monitors drone and ground station frequencies to estimate signal bearings, while optical cameras provide visual tracking.[7]

System counter-measures are divided into soft-kill and hard-kill options. Soft-kill systems use radio-frequency jammers to interrupt communication and satellite navigation links. Hard-kill systems employ kinetic effectors, including remote weapon stations, lasers, and net-carrying interceptor drones.[8] According to reporting on the 2024 deployment, the system has a baseline detection range of approximately 5 km and an effective jamming range of up to 4 km, depending on target size and altitude.[5][3][2]

Variants

The company produces the system in vehicle-mounted, man-portable, and fixed-site configurations.[9][7]

The vehicle-mounted variant integrates detection hardware, jamming systems, remote weapon stations, and interceptor drones. Zen claims an engagement range of up to 20 km and target tracking capability in swarm scenarios, though these figures have not been independently verified. The man-portable model is designed for infantry patrol and counter-insurgency operations, while the fixed-site version is deployed at military installations and infrastructure sites for perimeter defense.[9]

In May 2026, the company introduced an updated radar systems to counter swarm and first-person-view drone threats. This update included modified radar systems and command software.[10]

Procurement and deployment

The Indian Air Force first ordered the system in 2021, followed by additional Ministry of Defence orders in September 2023.[11][12] The Army Air Defence College at Gopalpur received hard-kill variants in mid-2024.[13][14] Between late 2025 and early 2026,[15][16] the Ministry of Defence awarded Zen Technologies additional procurement and upgrade contracts totaling over ₹700 crore (US$76 million), covering counter-drone hardware, simulators, and software updates. The contracts followed operational deployments.[17][18][19][20]

References

  1. ↑ "TRT на русском - Франция вооружает Армению: какие интересы преследует Париж". www.trtrussian.com (in Russian). Retrieved 2026-07-09.
  2. 1 2 "Zen Technologies Showcases Advanced Anti-Drone, Combat Solutions At Aero India 2025". Bharat Shakti. Retrieved 2026-07-09.
  3. 1 2 "Zen Technologies Pushes for Hard-Kill Systems against Jam-Resistant Drones, Pioneering AI-Powered Vyomkavach and Zen ADS HK". Defence News India. 2025-06-15. Retrieved 2026-07-09.
  4. ↑ "Armenia buying anti-drone system from India". Azernews.Az. 2023-11-08. Retrieved 2026-07-09.
  5. 1 2 "India's Silent Drone Revolution". Retrieved 2026-07-09.
  6. ↑ Singh, Dalip (2026-06-08). "Zen Technologies develops integrated AI-powered anti-drone system". BusinessLine. Retrieved 2026-07-07.
  7. 1 2 Gadhavi, Jagdeep. "Hyderabad firm unveils India's first AI-powered counter-drone system close to Op Sindoor anniversary". The Print.
  8. ↑ Sharma, Ritu (2023-11-07). "After Pinaka Rockets, Armenia Buys Indian Anti-Drone System To Fight Azerbaijan's Kamikaze UAVs". EurAsian Times. Retrieved 2026-07-09.
  9. 1 2 "Zen Technologies Unveils Fast Attack Craft AI Simulator For Naval Training". Retrieved 2026-07-09.
  10. ↑ "Zen Technologies unveils suite of new products and defence tech solutions". BusinessSandard.
  11. ↑ Bhalla, Abhishek (2021-09-03). "Armed forces order Indian-made anti-drone systems worth over Rs 300 crore, more contracts awaited". India Today. Retrieved 2026-07-09.
  12. ↑ "Indian drone industry eyes commercial, defence sectors at Drone Festival 2022 - BusinessToday". Business Today. 2022-05-27. Retrieved 2026-07-09.
  13. ↑ Mishra, Arushi (2023-09-26). "Zen Technologies clinches order from Ministry of Defence, shares rise". BusinessLine. Retrieved 2026-07-09.
  14. ↑ "Zen Technologies to provide C-UAS and driving simulators to Indian Army". Default. 2023-09-28. Retrieved 2026-07-09.
  15. ↑ Bharadwaj, Swati (2025-04-05). "From protecting skies with anti-drone tech to training simulators for armed forces, Hyderabad-based company keep borders safe". The Times of India. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 2026-07-09.
  16. ↑ Sharma, Ritu (2025-02-24). "From Armenia To America, Demand For Indian Drone, Anti-Drone Systems Increases; Billions In Revenue Expected". EurAsian Times. Retrieved 2026-07-09.
  17. ↑ "ZEN Technologies surges after bagging orders worth Rs 289 crore from Defence Ministry". BusinessStandard.
  18. ↑ Awasthi, Nishtha (2025-11-03). "Zen Technologies shares rise 7% on Rs 289-crore order from defence ministry". The Economic Times. ISSN 0013-0389. Retrieved 2026-07-09.
  19. ↑ Presswala, Ritesh (2026-01-16). "Zen Technologies rallies over 9% after bagging Rs 404 crore Defence orders". The Economic Times. ISSN 0013-0389. Retrieved 2026-07-09.
  20. ↑ "How Zen Technologies is building an IP-driven defence business". www.forbesindia.com. Retrieved 2026-07-09.
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