A homegrown anti-drone shotgun developed by SSS Defence has been inducted into service with the Indian Army, marking a significant step in the military’s effort to counter unmanned aerial systems with indigenously manufactured solutions.
According to reports, the shotgun system is designed specifically to engage and neutralize aerial targets, including low-altitude drones that pose an emerging threat to military installations and forward operating bases.
The induction reflects India’s broader push toward developing lightweight, portable counter-unmanned aerial vehicle (C-UAS) systems that do not rely on complex radar infrastructure or expensive missile-based solutions. The Indian Army has been increasingly focused on equipping frontline units with affordable, rapid-response capabilities to address drone threats that have become more prevalent in recent military operations.
SSS Defence, a private-sector defence manufacturer, has positioned this system as a cost-effective alternative to conventional air defense platforms. Shotgun-based anti-drone systems operate on a principle of rapid pellet dispersal, creating a dense pattern of projectiles that can disable drones within engagement range without requiring sophisticated targeting systems.
India’s defence strategy over the past five years has increasingly prioritized developing domestic C-UAS capabilities. The threats demonstrated during the 2019 Pulwama crisis and subsequent skirmishes along the border highlighted vulnerabilities in short-range air defence. Since then, DRDO, private manufacturers, and startups have accelerated development of multiple C-UAS platforms including directed energy systems, kinetic projectile-based guns, and net-based capture systems.
The SSS Defence induction sits within this broader ecosystem of counter-drone solutions being evaluated and operationalized by the Indian military. Unlike high-end systems such as the Akash or Igla air defence missiles, shotgun-based platforms can be operated by individual soldiers or small teams, making them suitable for distributed defense of sensitive installations and forward areas.
India’s private defence sector has emerged as a key partner in addressing these emerging capability gaps. The government’s emphasis on Make in India and technology transfer from DRDO to private manufacturers has created pathways for indigenous development of systems that were previously procured abroad or took years to develop through traditional state-owned enterprises.
The induction of the SSS Defence system underscores the Army’s recognition that multi-layered air defence now requires solutions across multiple altitude bands and engagement ranges. Shotgun-based systems provide a rapid, operator-friendly response at the lowest tier of air defence, complementing longer-range radar-guided and missile-based systems.
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