New Delhi: India has deployed a comprehensive range of anti-drone and low-altitude air defence systems, including the S-400, L-70 anti-aircraft guns, and Schilka units, in response to escalating tensions with Pakistan. The move follows a series of cross-border drone and missile attacks, with explosions reported in several areas, including Jammu and Jaisalmer.
India’s military has activated its layered air defence network, which successfully intercepted eight missiles using the S-400 system. To counter the growing threat, the military is deploying tactical, close-range weapons effective against drone swarms and low-flying UAVs from Pakistan.
L-70 Anti-Aircraft Gun
The L-70, developed by Bofors and produced under license in India, is a 40mm gun modernized with radar, electro-optical sensors, and auto-tracking systems. It can fire 240-330 rounds per minute, with a range of up to 4,000 meters. The L-70 excels in anti-drone warfare, saturating the sky with predictive fire, making it effective against swarm attacks and evading drones.
ZSU-23-4 Schilka
The Schilka is a self-propelled system with four 23mm autocannons, guided by radar detecting targets up to 20 km away. It can unleash 4,000 rounds per minute and has been upgraded with proximity-fuse ammunition and advanced fire-control systems to tackle small drones. The Schilka’s rapid fire and radar precision make it lethal for UAVs, helicopters, and light armored vehicles.
With these systems, the Indian Army is preparing for potential aerial incursions, enforcing blackouts in sensitive areas like Srinagar, Uri, Baramulla, Jammu, and Amritsar. The Schilka’s dense curtain of rounds offers last-resort protection for air bases, convoys, and sensitive installations under elevated threat levels.
