Masula Beach Fest: Anti-drone system used in ‘Op Sindoor' captivates visitors
Vijayawada: Visitors at the 2025 Masula Beach Festival were captivated by the anti-drone system on display, the Drone Detection, Deterioration, and Destroyer (D4) system, which played a crucial role in both soft and hard kills of enemy drones during 'Operation Sindoor,' launched by India in response to the terrorist attacks in Pahalgam.
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The exhibit evoked a strong sense of pride and patriotism among attendees, especially after learning that the indigenous D4 system used in the operation was manufactured at the Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) facility in Machilipatnam for the Indian Army.
The BEL manufacturing unit in Machilipatnam, which specializes in Electro Optics (Night Vision Devices), produced some of the D4 Anti-Drone Systems and supplied them to the Army.
The anti-drone system is among the many attractions on displayed at the beach festival.
Krishna district collector DK Balaji told TOI that the main objective behind showcasing the anti-drone system is to raise awareness among local residents that these systems are manufactured locally at the BEL facility in Machilipatnam and have contributed significantly to combating enemy drones during 'Operation Sindoor'.
"The anti-drone system, apable of executing both soft and hard kills, can carry out soft kills against enemy drones within a five-kilometre radius by jamming or neutralising them. Hard kills can be executed against enemy drones within a one-kilometre radius using a high-powered laser beam that incinerates the drones," explained a BEL, Machilipatnam representative.
The BEL representative said that the D4 anti-drone system is equipped with electro-optic systems aided by radar to carry out commands issued by a commander or operator from within the Integrated Command Control System housed inside the unit.
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The Integrated Command Control System can accommodate two commanders, who monitor the drones on their screens and make decisions to execute soft or hard kills by distinguishing between friendly and hostile drones, he added.
The components used in manufacturing the D4 Anti-Drone Systems were sourced from BEL's units in Hyderabad, Bengaluru, and Pune. Anti-Drone Systems produced at the BEL facility in Machilipatnam have been delivered to the Indian Army.
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