Zen Technologies Limited has introduced its indigenous High-Altitude Man-Portable Anti-Drone System (MPADS) on Kargil Vijay Diwas, reinforcing India’s growing portfolio of domestically developed counter-drone technologies. The lightweight system has been specifically designed to protect military personnel operating in high-altitude, remote, and difficult-to-access terrain.
The unveiling pays tribute to the Indian Armed Forces’ victory and sacrifice during the Kargil conflict while responding to the increasing use of drones and loitering threats in contemporary warfare. Developed for rapid deployment where conventional vehicle-based counter-drone systems are unsuitable, the MPADS combines advanced RF detection, intelligent data fusion, and omni-directional electronic jamming in a portable configuration. The system can be carried by individual soldiers or transported using pack animals, ATVs, and UGVs, providing enhanced mobility across varied operational scenarios.
Operational Capabilities
The MPADS can detect drones at ranges of up to 5 kilometres by continuously monitoring the 400 MHz to 6 GHz RF spectrum. It is capable of omni-directional jamming up to 3 kilometres, disrupting both drone communication links and GNSS navigation signals. The system also features swarm and multi-target detection capabilities, enabling operators to counter simultaneous drone incursions. Designed with a fully indigenous architecture, it supports round-the-clock, all-weather deployment.
The platform incorporates Zen Technologies’ RF-Based Drone Detector (RFDD), which uses Correlative Interferometry and Digital Beamforming to accurately identify the bearing of hostile drones. Integrated with the Data Fusion & Command Centre (DFCC), the system merges inputs from multiple sensors into a comprehensive operational picture, allowing operators to detect, classify, track, and respond to aerial threats while analysing spectrum activity in real time.
With drone threats becoming increasingly prevalent along high-altitude frontiers and contested border areas, portable counter-UAS systems are playing a vital role in enhancing force protection. Zen Technologies’ new MPADS strengthens India’s indigenous defence ecosystem by delivering a highly mobile, scalable, and mission-ready capability for frontline troops to detect, track, and neutralise hostile drones in complex operational environments.
