Zen Technologies launches AI anti-drone system in 2026

Zen Technologies has unveiled what it describes as India’s first fully integrated, modular AI-powered anti-drone platform at the North Tech Symposium 2026 in Prayagraj. The launch comes amid rising focus on drone-led warfare, including the growing use of first-person-view (FPV) drones and coordinated swarms that can stress conventional air defence systems. The company positioned the new platform as a combined “soft kill” and “hard kill” architecture, intended to detect, track, classify and neutralise hostile drones across varied operational settings.

The Hyderabad-based defence firm said the system is indigenously designed and developed, and has been built under the IDDM framework with full intellectual property ownership. Zen Technologies also linked the announcement to the anniversary of Operation Sindoor, stating that recent frontline experiences have underscored how quickly drone tactics are evolving.

What Zen Technologies launched at North Tech Symposium 2026

Zen Technologies said the system is designed as a modular counter-drone platform that can be deployed in three configurations: vehicle-mounted, man-portable and fixed (stationary). This design is aimed at supporting different mission profiles, from mobile convoy protection to base security.

According to the company, the platform supports detection, tracking and neutralisation in a single architecture. It combines electronic warfare measures with weapon integration options so operators can scale their response depending on the threat and the operating environment.

Key performance claims: frequency, range and tracking capacity

Zen Technologies said the platform provides wideband frequency coverage from 70 MHz to 12 GHz, supporting detection and disruption across diverse drone control and communication channels. The company also stated a drone detection range of over 15 kilometres and the ability to track more than 100 drones simultaneously, positioning the platform for swarm scenarios.

The system includes a high-sensitivity indigenous radar, with Zen Technologies stating detection capability up to 20 kilometres and improved performance against smaller drones with low radar cross-sections.

Data Fusion and Command Centre at the core

A central feature is an AI-enabled Data Fusion and Command Centre. Zen Technologies said it integrates inputs from multiple sensors and applies advanced algorithms to classify threats, track targets and support response decisions in real time.

The company’s description emphasises sensor integration and automated threat classification as critical to dealing with saturated environments, where multiple drones may appear at once and require prioritised engagement.

Layered neutralisation: soft-kill and hard-kill options

For neutralisation, Zen Technologies said the platform includes RF jamming, GNSS jamming and spoofing. These are presented as “soft-kill” tools intended to disrupt communications or navigation.

On the “hard-kill” side, Zen Technologies said the system supports integration with remote-controlled weapon stations (RCWS) using 12.7 mm and 7.62 mm guns, and can also be paired with air defence guns and loitering interceptors. The company also referenced “kamikaze interceptors” as part of the layered architecture.

Three deployment modes: vehicle-mounted, man-portable and fixed

Zen Technologies said the vehicle-mounted configuration can be integrated on tactical vehicles and mobile platforms to support rapid deployment, convoy protection and mobile area defence. The man-portable configuration is described as lightweight and rugged for dismounted soldiers, aimed at patrol and counter-insurgency use.

The fixed configuration is intended to protect critical infrastructure, military bases and high-value assets, with the company stating it can provide continuous 24/7 surveillance and defence coverage.

What Ashok Atluri said about the shift in drone warfare

Ashok Atluri, Chairman and Managing Director of Zen Technologies, said recent conflicts have highlighted that drone warfare is reshaping the battlefield. He said, “While the world is focused on building drones, the real advantage will belong to those who can make them irrelevant.”

Atluri also said the launch reinforces Zen Technologies’ focus on “cutting-edge indigenous defence technologies,” reducing import dependence and equipping India’s armed forces with globally competitive capabilities. He added that the system has been developed under the IDDM framework with full intellectual property ownership.

Related contracts and upgrades linked to Operation Sindoor

Separately, the text notes that India has awarded contracts worth 2.89 billion rupees (about $12.5 million) to Zen Technologies to upgrade its anti-drone systems, with completion planned within a year. The upgrades are described as incorporating lessons from Operation Sindoor, a May counterterrorism offensive in Jammu and Kashmir.

The stated objective of the upgrade programme is improved hardware and software adaptability. The text also highlights concerns around physical hardware compromise and software-level malware attacks.

Other Zen anti-drone offerings mentioned alongside the new launch

The provided material also references earlier Zen Technologies systems and showcases. At Aero India 2025, the company unveiled “Vyomkavach,” described as an AI-powered anti-drone system integrating sensors, electronic jammers and kinetic interceptors.

It also mentions the Zen Anti-Drone System with Hard-Kill (Zen ADS HK), delivered to the Army Air Defence College in Gopalpur, Odisha, in June 2024, valued at approximately ₹150 crore, and a claim of 160 global and Indian patents.

Naval anti-drone system claims highlighted on LinkedIn

The text additionally describes an AI-enabled Naval Anti-Drone System tailored for maritime vessels such as fast attack craft and patrol boats. It references layered soft-kill and hard-kill options, radar and electro-optical tracking, and Radio Frequency Detection and Disruption (RFDD).

It also cites Video-based Drone Identification and Tracking (VDIT) with a range of up to 3 kilometres, and mentions 3D X-band radar with 360-degree coverage, presented as suitable for adverse weather and dynamic maritime environments.

Key specifications at a glance

Market impact and why the announcement matters

For investors tracking India’s defence manufacturing and indigenisation theme, the announcement adds detail to Zen Technologies’ positioning in counter-UAV systems. The company is linking its new platform to operational learning and to procurement pathways under indigenisation frameworks.

The contract value cited for upgrades, 2.89 billion rupees, indicates ongoing spending on counter-drone capabilities and suggests that existing systems are being iterated rather than treated as static deployments. The platform’s claimed wideband coverage and multi-target tracking are positioned as responses to FPV drones and coordinated swarm tactics described in the text.

Conclusion

Zen Technologies’ new AI-powered anti-drone platform, launched at North Tech Symposium 2026, combines sensor fusion, electronic countermeasures and weapon integrations across vehicle-mounted, man-portable and fixed deployments. Alongside the launch, the text points to a one-year timeline for upgrades under contracts worth 2.89 billion rupees, tied to lessons from Operation Sindoor. Any further details on deployments, customer orders or upgrade milestones would likely emerge as the programme execution progresses.