HSL and Pentagon Rugged Systems Partner for Naval Anti-Drone and NLOS Communications Development

India’s state-owned Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL) has entered a strategic partnership agreement with Pentagon Rugged Systems India Ltd. to jointly develop and integrate advanced anti-drone defence and Non-Line-of-Sight (NLOS) communication capabilities onboard Indian Navy vessels.

Under the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), signed on 5 July in Visakhapatnam, the collaboration will focus primarily on indigenous solutions for countering hostile unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) threats in maritime operations. The integrated anti-drone system will offer real-time drone detection, tracking, and neutralisation capabilities at ranges extending up to 30 km, employing advanced electronic jamming across the 400 MHz to 6 GHz frequency spectrum. This technology enables precise neutralisation of drone threats without collateral damage to onboard assets or surrounding infrastructure.

NLOS communication solutions

Additionally, the companies will co-develop long-range NLOS communication solutions, enhancing secure naval communication in complex operational environments, including littoral and contested maritime zones.

Speaking at the signing, Cmde Hemant Khatri, Chairman and Managing Director of HSL, emphasised the strategic importance of indigenous counter-drone technology, noting, "This MoU is an important milestone in India’s drive towards Atmanirbhar Bharat and will significantly enhance the Indian Navy’s defensive capabilities against asymmetric aerial threats."

Dr Swaminathan Manikandan, Managing Director of Pentagon Rugged Systems India, highlighted their role as technology partners, stating, "We are committed to delivering scalable, rugged, and mission-specific anti-drone solutions designed explicitly for challenging maritime conditions."

indigenous defence production capacity

Integration trials are scheduled to commence within the next quarter, with operational deployment on frontline naval vessels expected to follow shortly thereafter. The partnership aligns closely with India’s strategic vision to increase indigenous defence production capacity.