Originals · Startup · Startups & Fintech
IG Defence test-fires rocket motors for JWALA, a low-cost anti-drone micro-missile
The interceptor is designed as the hard-kill layer of an AI battle management system called GRID.
IG Defence has test-fired two solid rocket motors for JWALA, a micro-missile it is developing to shoot down drones, Business Standard and Fortune India reported. The company describes JWALA as India's first privately developed micro-missile programme for hard-kill counter-drone defence, meaning it physically destroys the target rather than jamming it.
Business Standard reported that the company lists JWALA MK1 as a short-range surface-to-air missile with an engagement range of 2 to 5 km, an altitude envelope of 50 to 5,000 metres, a dual-pulse solid rocket motor and fin control. The system is still in development. The idea is cost: when drones are cheap and come in large numbers, defenders need interceptors that are affordable enough to stock in quantity.
JWALA is built to work inside GRID, IG Defence's AI-powered battle management system, which links sensors, command systems and weapons to detect, track and assign threats. Founder and CEO Bodhisattwa Sanghapriya told Fortune India that GRID provides the brain and JWALA the hard-kill effect. The company also showed JWALA earlier this year alongside its KAL long-range loitering munition, Business Standard reported.
