Indian Army Deploys PRABAL Counter-Drone System on Armoured Vehicle for Enhanced Mobility

Indian Army's Mobile Counter-Drone Strategy Takes Shape

The Indian Army has taken a significant step forward in its efforts to counter the growing threat of unmanned aerial systems (UAS) by integrating the PRABAL Counter-Unmanned Aircraft System (C-UAS) onto the Mahindra Armado Armoured Light Specialist Vehicle (ALSV). This move marks a major shift in the Army's approach to counter-drone warfare, enabling the creation of highly mobile counter-drone platforms that can accompany frontline formations and provide a defensive umbrella closer to the frontline.

The integration of PRABAL onto the Armado provides a significant mobility advantage over permanently installed or containerised counter-drone equipment, allowing the system to accompany combat units rather than remaining tied to a fixed defensive position. This is particularly valuable along India's northern and western borders, where military formations operate across large areas and frequently need to relocate. The Mahindra Armado, designed for a variety of operational roles, offers ballistic protection up to B7 and STANAG Level II, providing a safe and secure platform for the counter-UAS system.

The Indian Army's decision to mount PRABAL on the Armado reflects the Army's accelerating effort to deploy vehicle-mounted counter-UAS systems as drones and loitering munitions become an increasingly important battlefield threat. Recent procurement activity confirms that the Indian Army is actively expanding its PRABAL 2.0 capability, with a 2026 GeM procurement for 10 PRABAL 2.0 C-UAS systems issued for deployment at Leh, and the contract subsequently awarded in July 2026.

The move is part of the Indian Army's broader effort to adapt to the changing character of warfare, as highlighted by Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi in June. The Army is accelerating the induction and absorption of drones, UAVs, loitering munitions, and counter-UAS technologies to stay ahead of emerging threats. The counter-UAS architecture can combine several layers, including radio-frequency detection, radar, electro-optical and infrared sensors, electronic warfare, and hard-kill effectors. Indian industry is already developing and supplying systems based on combinations of these technologies.

The integration of PRABAL onto the Armado is also part of the Army's wider push for mobile and layered counter-drone defence. The Ministry of Defence has highlighted the increasing threat posed by unmanned systems and the requirement for advanced detection and neutralisation capabilities along India's borders. Mahindra has separately been expanding its involvement in the counter-UAS sector, partnering with Sentrycs in 2024 to explore indigenous RF-based counter-drone solutions.

The development of mobile counter-drone formations could potentially represent a broader shift in the Indian Army's approach to counter-drone warfare, moving away from relying solely on fixed installations to protect bases and critical infrastructure. Instead, protected vehicles carrying counter-drone systems can move with troops and provide a defensive umbrella closer to the frontline, enhancing the Army's ability to respond to emerging threats.

Key Features of the PRABAL C-UAS System:

• Highly mobile counter-drone platform capable of accompanying frontline formations
• Integration with the Mahindra Armado Armoured Light Specialist Vehicle (ALSV) provides ballistic protection up to B7 and STANAG Level II
• Can combine several layers of counter-UAS technologies, including radio-frequency detection, radar, electro-optical and infrared sensors, electronic warfare, and hard-kill effectors
• Part of the Indian Army's broader effort to adapt to the changing character of warfare and stay ahead of emerging threats

Key Takeaways:

• The Indian Army is accelerating the integration of vehicle-mounted counter-UAS systems to counter the growing threat of drones and loitering munitions.
• The PRABAL C-UAS system is being integrated onto the Mahindra Armado ALSV to provide a highly mobile counter-drone platform capable of accompanying frontline formations.
• The move is part of the Indian Army's broader effort to adapt to the changing character of warfare and stay ahead of emerging threats.
• The development of mobile counter-drone formations could potentially represent a broader shift in the Indian Army's approach to counter-drone warfare.
• The integration of PRABAL onto the Armado provides a significant mobility advantage over permanently installed or containerised counter-drone equipment.