Beyond L-70: Indian Army Eyes Smart Air Defence Guns for Drone Warfare Era

Beyond L-70: India’s Air Defence Transformation Has Begun

India’s battlefield air defence network is preparing for one of its biggest upgrades in decades. The Indian Army is now moving ahead with plans to replace its ageing L-70 and ZU-23-2 anti-aircraft gun systems with a new-generation Air Defence Gun System (ADGS), designed specifically to tackle the rapidly evolving threat of drones, swarm attacks, loitering munitions, and low-flying aerial targets.

For years, the upgraded L-70 and ZU-23-2 guns have remained reliable workhorses of India’s short-range air defence grid. Originally developed during the Cold War era, these systems were modernized with electro-optical sensors, digital fire-control systems, thermal imaging, and radar integration to keep them relevant in modern warfare. Their effectiveness was once again highlighted during recent drone interception operations along India’s western border.

But modern conflicts are changing faster than ever.

Cheap drones, AI-enabled swarm attacks, and precision-guided aerial threats are forcing militaries around the world to rethink traditional air defence doctrines. Firing expensive surface-to-air missiles at low-cost drones is not always economically sustainable. This is where modern gun-based air defence systems are becoming important again.

According to reports, the Indian Army has already initiated the process to procure around 220 next-generation ADGS platforms in the first phase, with long-term requirements potentially exceeding 1,000 systems. Trials are expected around mid-2026, and importantly, the programme is expected to remain fully indigenous with Indian firms competing for the contract.

The upcoming ADGS is expected to be far more advanced than legacy anti-aircraft guns. Instead of functioning as standalone weapons, the new system will likely operate as part of a network-centric battlefield architecture integrated with radars, electronic warfare systems, AI-assisted targeting, and automated command networks like Akashteer. The focus is no longer just aircraft interception—it is now about defeating drones, cruise missiles, swarm attacks, and low-signature aerial threats in real time.

One of the biggest advantages of gun-based air defence systems is cost efficiency. A programmable airburst round fired from a modern AD gun costs significantly less than a missile interceptor while still being highly effective against drones and UAV swarms. This makes such systems extremely valuable in high-intensity conflicts where dozens of low-cost threats may appear simultaneously.

The Army is also expected to prioritize mobility and rapid deployment capability in the new ADGS. Unlike older static systems, the next-generation platforms could feature automated tracking, AI-enabled target recognition, smart ammunition, and all-weather engagement capability. Some reports suggest the systems may also include advanced fragmentation rounds specifically optimized for anti-drone warfare.

What makes this modernization especially significant is the broader strategic shift taking place inside India’s defence ecosystem. The country is increasingly moving toward indigenous battlefield technologies instead of relying heavily on foreign imports. From radars and electronic warfare suites to missiles and air defence systems, India is trying to build an integrated and self-reliant defensive shield.

The replacement of the L-70 and ZU-23-2 guns is therefore not just a routine equipment upgrade. It represents a transition from legacy Cold War-era air defence into a future battlefield environment dominated by drones, automation, and network-centric warfare.

And in that future, the Indian Army clearly wants faster, smarter, and more economical ways to defend the skies.