By A Correspondent
New Delhi/Hyderabad: India’s fight against drone-driven smuggling and cross-border infiltration received a major boost on November 26, 2025, with the launch of the country’s first Anti-Drone Patrol Vehicle (ADPV), the Indrajaal Ranger.
Developed by Hyderabad-based Indrajaal Drone Defence, the fully mobile, AI-enabled system is designed to detect, track, and neutralise hostile drones while in motion, marking a significant leap in India’s counter-UAS (Unmanned Aerial Systems) capabilities.
The launch comes amid a sharp surge in drone-based narcotics and weapons smuggling from Pakistan. In 2025 alone, the Border Security Force (BSF) has neutralised more than 255 Pakistani drones, while intelligence agencies continue to uncover ISI-linked trafficking routes pushing drugs, pistols, ammunition, and explosives into Indian cities.
Earlier this year, Home Minister Amit Shah noted that 7% of Indians consume narcotics, and over INR 25,000 crore worth of drugs were seized in 2024, nearly half of it from the western border.
These escalating threats underscored the urgent need for a fast-response, mobile, field-ready counter-drone vehicle, prompting Indrajaal to develop the Ranger.
Unlike traditional vehicle-mounted anti-drone systems that operate only when parked, the Indrajaal Ranger is engineered as a purpose-built combat vehicle capable of:
- On-the-move detection
- Real-time tracking and surveillance
- AI-based threat assessment
- Instant interception and neutralisation
- Seamless coverage across border belts, canals, highways, agricultural zones, and urban areas
At the launch event, Lt Gen. Devendra Pratap Pandey (Retd) praised the innovation, stating that technologies like the ADPV act as “shields protecting our children, our farmers, and our future.” He hailed Indrajaal founder and chief executive officer Kiran Raju for delivering a transformative capability to India’s security forces.
Raju emphasised the mission-driven nature of the project: “Every drone we neutralise equals lives protected. Our mission at Indrajaal is to defend freedom.”
New Frontier in Mobile Drone Defence
The Indrajaal Ranger integrates a 10 km detection range, 4 km mitigation radius, AI-driven tracking, multi-sensor detection, cyber takeover tools, Retractor safe-drone capture, Repulsor electronic soft-kill systems, and Zombee high-speed interceptor drones.
Powered by Indrajaal’s SkyOS autonomy engine, the Ranger acts as a mobile command centre, requiring only two operators.
Securing Borders, Cities, and Critical Infrastructure
Indrajaal Ranger has applications across:
- Border security and counter-terrorism: Tackling drug and weapon trafficking routes from Pakistan.
- Urban policing & event security: 360-degree protection for high-density zones.
- Critical infrastructure defence: Securing airports, ports, refineries, industrial corridors, and VIP convoys.
A Lifesaving National Asset
By preventing the inflow of drugs, weapons, and explosives, the Ranger disrupts smuggling networks, reduces police workload, and restores safety to vulnerable border communities.
Each intercepted drone cuts off financial pipelines to criminal and extremist groups, protecting citizens and strengthening India’s internal security.
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