The Indian Army has been observed operating a 105mm towed field gun equipped with a protective anti-drone cope cage, demonstrating how the growing threat from FPV drones and loitering munitions is shaping even conventional artillery operations.
Images from an Army exercise show the gun surrounded by a large metal mesh structure covering the weapon and crew positions. The design provides overhead and lateral protection while allowing the artillery system to remain operational in the field.
The development is significant because towed artillery has become increasingly vulnerable to drone-based surveillance and attacks. Once an artillery position is identified by an unmanned aerial vehicle, an adversary can direct FPV drones or loitering munitions toward the gun and its crew.
The Indian Army has previously experimented with cope cages on other platforms. Earlier footage showed similar structures fitted to towed artillery, including designs that could be removed or folded when unrestricted movement was required during firing. The latest 105mm gun configuration appears to follow the same survivability principle by creating a physical barrier between the drone and the weapon or personnel.
A cope cage is not designed to make an artillery gun completely immune to drone attacks. Instead, it provides an additional layer of passive protection. Depending on its construction and the angle of attack, the mesh may disrupt a drone’s approach or prevent a drone-dropped munition from reaching the most vulnerable areas of the gun and crew compartment.
The development also reflects lessons from the Russia–Ukraine war, where artillery systems have become frequent targets of persistent drone reconnaissance, FPV attacks, and loitering munitions. These experiences have reinforced the importance of improving artillery survivability through a combination of mobility, camouflage, concealment, and protection against attacks from above.
The Army’s adoption of such equipment appears to be expanding beyond individual field modifications. Procurement activity in 2026 has reportedly included requirements for anti-drone cope cages for guns and other military equipment. One Army tender sought protective cages for artillery systems, while another procurement involved anti-drone cages measuring approximately 10 feet by 10 feet, along with other battlefield support equipment.
This development is particularly relevant to the Army’s large inventory of legacy artillery systems. Although newer self-propelled and mounted gun systems can relocate quickly after firing, traditional towed guns remain valuable because of their simpler logistics, mobility, and comparatively lower operating costs.
Adding lightweight passive protection could therefore provide a relatively inexpensive method of improving the survivability of existing artillery fleets while more advanced counter-drone capabilities are introduced. The 105mm gun fitted with a cope cage should not be viewed as a replacement for electronic warfare, hard-kill counter-drone systems, or battlefield air defence. Instead, it represents another layer of protection for artillery units operating in an increasingly drone-dominated battlefield.
