P Raja Rao
In yet another breakthrough for India’s defence-tech startup ecosystem, Chennai-based Big Bang Boom Solutions has unveiled a cutting-edge portable anti-drone weapon that could soon become a key asset for the country’s security forces. Dubbed ‘Vajra Shot’, this compact, hand-held jammer is a remarkable feat of indigenous innovation, offering a smart, flexible, and powerful response to the growing menace of rogue drones.
Unlike traditional jammers that operate on fixed frequencies, Vajra Shot uses software-defined jamming technology that can dynamically adapt its interference output. This makes it highly effective against both standard and non-standard unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), including those that switch frequencies or use encrypted communication bands.
Weighing just 3.5 kilograms, the Vajra Shot is lightweight and highly portable—ideal for deployment by personnel on the frontlines. But its true edge lies in its adaptive signal disruption. Conventional jammers often fail against sophisticated drones that operate across a broad spectrum. The Vajra Shot overcomes this by scanning, identifying, and jamming the drone’s control and navigation signals in real time, thereby disabling its ability to operate or forcing it to land.
While the specifics of its engagement mechanism remain understandably confidential for operational security reasons, its core strength lies in neutralizing UAV threats without physical destruction, making it especially useful in civilian-populated areas or sensitive zones where kinetic action may not be viable.
With threats from drone-based surveillance, smuggling, and attacks on the rise, Vajra Shot represents a timely and strategic innovation, positioning India at the forefront of next-generation counter-drone technology.
With an effective range of 4 kilometres, the Vajra Shot surpasses many of its international peers. For comparison, China’s Sky fend Blader has a range of about 1.5 km and weighs more, while the U.S.-developed Drone Defender—a comparable jamming device built by Battelle—also tips the scales at around 4 kg. Russia’s bulkier REX-1 relies on radio frequencies and electromagnetic pulses but lacks the adaptability and compactness offered by Vajra Shot.
The Indian innovation also packs impressive operational endurance. Equipped with a battery life of up to nine hours and an LED interface, the Vajra Shot provides troops with extended usability during prolonged missions. Its ability to detect, jam, and disrupt drone communication links gives it a significant edge in tactical scenarios—whether at border posts, high-security installations, or in urban environments prone to drone-related threats.
Importantly, the Vajra Shot isn’t just theoretical or experimental. It has already caught the attention of India’s top military leadership, including Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh Kumar Tripathi, who examined the weapon during the ‘Swavlamban 2024’ seminar hosted by the Indian Navy’s Naval Innovation and Indigenisation Organisation (NIIO). The weapon has already been deployed by both the Indian Army and the Indian Air Force, a clear signal of its operational utility and acceptance by end users.
According to Ravi Kumar, company representative at the seminar, Big Bang Boom Solutions has already secured orders worth over ₹210 crore (approximately $25 million) for the Vajra Shot. The device can also be integrated with a hand-held drone detector, making it a comprehensive counter-drone solution, especially useful in layered air defence operations.
The Vajra Shot’s success story underscores the growing strength of India’s startup ecosystem in the high-tech and defence domains, aligning perfectly with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s twin visions of ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ (self-reliant India) and ‘Startup India’. It is a reminder that innovation is no longer confined to state-run labs or international arms majors—Indian entrepreneurs are now capable of designing and manufacturing world-class security equipment with homegrown talent.
In an era where drone threats are becoming increasingly sophisticated and widespread, from surveillance intrusions to payload delivery by terrorist groups, the availability of a portable, indigenous, and intelligent jamming system could be a game-changer. The Vajra Shot doesn’t just shoot down drones—it shoots down the myth that only foreign companies can offer cutting-edge defence solutions.
As India strengthens its defence preparedness amid rising regional challenges, tools like the Vajra Shot provide a compelling example of how homegrown technology can lead from the front. With further R&D and deployment across paramilitary, border security, and even VIP protection agencies, this humble-looking handheld device could soon become the standard bearer of India’s drone defence strategy.
In essence, Big Bang Boom Solutions has fired a big bang of its own—one that echoes far beyond Chennai, across India’s strategic frontiers.
