The Strategic Importance of High Power Microwaves (HPM) in the Indian Defence Forces

In the rapidly evolving landscape of modern warfare, Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS), particularly drones, have emerged as a significant threat. The Indian Defence Forces face increasing challenges from adversaries leveraging advanced drone technologies, including swarm tactics. High Power Microwave (HPM) systems, a class of Directed-Energy Weapons (DEWs), offer a revolutionary solution to counter these threats. Here we’ll discuss the critical role of HPMs in India’s defence arsenal, detailing their functionality, underlying technology, global adoption, India’s development progress, and their heightened importance following Pakistan’s swarm drone attacks during Operation Sindoor in May 2025.

What Are High Power Microwaves (HPM)?

High Power Microwaves (HPM) are directed-energy weapons that emit concentrated bursts of electromagnetic radiation in the microwave frequency range, typically between 300 MHz and 300 GHz. Unlike traditional kinetic weapons that rely on physical projectiles, HPMs use non-kinetic energy to disrupt or destroy the electronic systems of targets, such as drones, missiles, or other electronic equipment. HPMs can disable multiple targets simultaneously, making them particularly effective against drone swarms.

How HPMs Work

HPM systems generate intense microwave pulses that induce strong electromagnetic fields in a target. When these pulses interact with a drone’s electronic components, such as sensors, communication systems, or navigation circuits, they create disruptive currents or voltages. This can lead to:

• Soft Kill: Temporary disruption of a drone’s functionality, such as jamming its communication or navigation systems, causing it to lose control or return to its operator.
• Hard Kill: Permanent damage to electronic circuits, rendering the drone inoperable and causing it to crash.

HPMs operate at the speed of light, delivering near-instantaneous effects over a wide area. Their ability to engage multiple targets without requiring precise aiming makes them ideal for countering swarm attacks. Additionally, HPMs are cost-effective, with low per-shot costs compared to missile-based systems, and they have virtually unlimited magazines as long as power is available.

Basic Technology Behind HPMs

HPM systems rely on several key components:

1. Power Source: A high-capacity power generator or battery to supply the energy needed for microwave pulses.
2. Microwave Source: Devices like magnetrons, klystrons, or solid-state amplifiers generate high-power microwave signals. For example, Multi-Beam Klystron (MBK) technology is used in advanced systems like India’s Wavestrike for long-range, compact designs.
3. Antenna System: A directional antenna focuses the microwave energy into a beam, which can be narrow for precision targeting or conical for wide-area coverage. Systems like Raytheon’s Phaser use reflector antennas to achieve this.
4. Control and Guidance Systems: Integrated radar, electro-optical (EO) systems, and radio frequency (RF) sensors detect and track targets, ensuring accurate engagement. Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) may enhance target identification and adaptability.
5. Cooling Systems: To manage heat generated during high-power operations, ensuring sustained performance.

HPM systems can operate in two modes:

• Continuous Wave: Delivers a steady stream of microwave energy for broad-area effects.
• Pulsed Wave: Emits short, high-power pulses for precise, high-intensity impacts.

These components are typically housed in mobile platforms, such as vehicles or containers, for battlefield deployment across diverse terrains.

Global Adoption of HPMs in the Battlefield

Several countries have recognised the strategic value of HPMs and are actively developing or deploying them:

• United States: The U.S. leads in HPM development, with systems like Epirus’ Leonidas and Raytheon’s Phaser. The U.S. Army’s Indirect Fire Protection Capability-High Power Microwave (IFPC-HPM) prototypes, delivered in 2023, are designed to counter drone swarms. The Air Force Research Laboratory’s Tactical High Power Operational Responder (THOR) has demonstrated the ability to disable over 100 drones simultaneously. The U.S. Navy is also testing HPMs for maritime drone defence.
• China: China has invested heavily in HPM technology, with the Northwest Institute of Nuclear Technology leading development. A breakthrough reported in 2025 enables HPMs to counter missiles, drones, and satellites. China’s LW-30 system targets UAS and precision-guided weapons.
• Russia: Russia employs HPM systems to counter drones and electronic systems, with technologies integrated into its military operations, though specific systems are less publicized.
• United Kingdom and Turkey: Both nations are exploring HPMs to address the growing drone threat, particularly in response to their use in conflicts like Ukraine.
• Israel: Israel is developing HPM systems as part of its layered air defence strategy, complementing systems like Iron Dome to counter drone swarms used by groups like Hamas.

The global race for HPM technology underscores its importance in modern warfare, particularly in countering asymmetric threats like low-cost, autonomous drones.

India’s Progress in HPM Development

India has made significant strides in developing HPM systems to bolster its anti-drone capabilities, driven by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and private sector innovators.

• DRDO Initiatives: DRDO is developing an HPM system with a 1-km range to counter drone threats, building on its 1KW laser-based D4 Anti-Drone System. This system aims to enhance India’s directed-energy arsenal, focusing on electronic warfare principles to disable drone electronics.
• Wavestrike System: Unveiled at Aero India 2025 by Bengaluru-based Tonbo Imaging, Wavestrike is India’s first deployable third-generation HPM system. With a 3-km range, it uses Multi-Beam Klystron technology and integrates radar and EO systems for precise targeting. Wavestrike’s ability to neutralise swarm drone attacks has drawn international attention, marking a milestone in India’s defence technology sector.
• AUHPM Mk II: The Indian Army’s Directorate General of Army Air Defence issued an RFI (Request for Information (RFI) in October 2024 for the Anti-UAS High Power Microwave (AUHPM Mk II) system. This vehicle-based platform combines radar, RF detection, and HPM weaponry to counter low-Radar Cross Section (RCS) drones and swarms. The system emphasises over 50% Indigenous content, aligning with the Make in India initiative.
• Bhargavastra: Developed by Economic Explosives Ltd, the Bhargavastra micro-missile system, tested in 2025, complements HPMs by offering a kinetic solution against swarm drones. While not yet inducted, it highlights India’s multi-pronged approach to drone defence.

India’s focus on integrating HPM systems with existing air defence infrastructure, such as the Common Air Defence Tracked System (CADET), ensures interoperability across the Army, Navy, and Air Force. The push for indigenous development reduces reliance on foreign technology, enhancing strategic autonomy.

Importance of HPMs Post-Operation Sindoor (May 2025)

The swarm drone attacks by Pakistan during Operation Sindoor in May 2025 underscored the urgent need for advanced anti-drone systems like HPMs. Following the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, 2025, which killed 26 civilians, India launched Operation Sindoor, targeting terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Pakistan retaliated with coordinated drone and missile attacks on Indian military and civilian infrastructure, including a significant swarm drone assault on May 7-8, 2025.

India’s Integrated Counter-UAS Grid and Air Defence systems, including jammers and kinetic interceptors, successfully neutralised these threats. However, the scale and coordination of Pakistan’s drone swarms highlighted vulnerabilities in traditional defences. Key lessons from Operation Sindoor include:

• Swarm Drone Threat: Pakistan’s use of low-cost, autonomous drones in large numbers overwhelmed conventional one-to-one defence systems, emphasising the need for one-to-many solutions like HPMs.
• Cost Efficiency: Engaging swarms with missiles, as seen in other conflicts (e.g., U.S. and NATO vs. Houthi drones), is prohibitively expensive. HPMs offer a cost-effective alternative, with operational costs tied to electricity rather than munitions.
• Non-Lethal Advantage: HPMs’ ability to disable drones without physical destruction minimises collateral damage, critical in urban or infrastructure-heavy areas targeted during Operation Sindoor.
• All-Weather Reliability: Unlike lasers, HPMs are less affected by weather conditions, ensuring reliability in diverse Indian terrains, from Jammu and Kashmir’s mountains to Gujarat’s deserts.

The success of India’s air defence systems in Operation Sindoor, combined with the limitations of kinetic solutions, has accelerated the Indian Army’s procurement of HPM systems like AUHPM Mk II and the deployment of Wavestrike. These systems are now seen as essential for protecting critical assets, including airbases, military installations, and civilian infrastructure, against future drone threats from Pakistan and China.

Strategic Importance of HPMs for India

Incorporating HPMs into India’s defence arsenal offers several strategic advantages:

1. Countering Asymmetric Threats: HPMs address the growing threat of low-cost, accessible drone technology used by state and non-state actors, levelling the playing field against adversaries like Pakistan and China.
2. Enhancing Layered Defence: HPMs complement existing systems like the S-400, MR-SAM, and Akash, creating a multi-layered air defence grid capable of handling diverse threats, from missiles to micro-drones.
3. Operational Flexibility: Mobile, vehicle-based HPM systems like AUHPM Mk II can be deployed across India’s varied terrains, ensuring comprehensive coverage.
4. Economic Sustainability: With low per-shot costs and minimal maintenance, HPMs reduce the financial burden of countering large-scale drone attacks, critical for prolonged engagements.
5. Psychological Deterrence: The deployment of advanced HPM systems signals India’s technological superiority, deterring adversaries from launching drone-based attacks.

Challenges and Future Directions

Despite their promise, HPMs face challenges:

• Range Limitations: Current systems like Wavestrike (3 km) and DRDO’s HPM (1 km) have shorter ranges compared to the Army’s desired 5 km. Ongoing research aims to extend this range.
• Electromagnetic Shielding: Drones with Faraday cages or shielding may resist HPM effects, necessitating higher power outputs or complementary technologies.
• Integration Complexity: Integrating HPMs with India’s diverse air defence systems, including legacy Soviet-era equipment, requires significant technical coordination.

Future efforts should focus on increasing HPM range and power, developing AI-driven targeting systems, and fostering public-private partnerships to accelerate innovation. Collaborative ventures, like those with Tonbo Imaging, can drive indigenous production and reduce costs.

High Power Microwaves represent a transformative addition to the Indian Defence Forces’ arsenal, offering a cost-effective, non-lethal, and versatile solution to counter the growing threat of drone swarms. The lessons from Operation Sindoor in May 2025 highlight the urgency of deploying HPM systems to protect India’s sovereignty and critical infrastructure. With significant progress in indigenous development through DRDO, Tonbo Imaging, and other partners, India is poised to become a leader in HPM technology. By prioritising investment, integration, and innovation, the Indian Defence Forces can ensure a robust defence against evolving aerial threats, securing the nation’s borders and beyond.