Hyderabad-based defense technology company Zen Technologies has unveiled its innovative High-Altitude Man-Portable Anti-Drone System (MPADS), significantly expanding its portfolio of counter-drone solutions. The new system is specifically engineered for effective deployment in rugged, high-altitude mountainous and border areas where conventional vehicle-mounted systems are impractical.
MPADS: Designed for Extreme Terrains
The MPADS platform, introduced on July 26 to commemorate Kargil Vijay Diwas, emphasizes maximum mobility. Its lightweight design allows soldiers to carry it or transport it via pack animals, all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), and unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs). This ensures rapid deployment capabilities in remote and operationally challenging environments.
The portable system integrates advanced capabilities, including radio frequency (RF) detection, sophisticated data fusion, and omni-directional jamming, all within a compact configuration. Zen Technologies states the MPADS can detect drones up to 5 kilometers away by monitoring the 400 MHz to 6 GHz radio frequency spectrum. Once a hostile unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is identified, the system can jam its command-and-control links and Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) signals at ranges up to 3 kilometers, effectively neutralizing threats before they reach sensitive locations.
Advanced Detection and Command Capabilities
A key feature of the MPADS is its ability to track multiple drones simultaneously, including coordinated drone swarms, and operate reliably around the clock in diverse weather conditions. At its core, the system utilizes Zen Technologies' proprietary RF-based drone detection technology, which employs correlative interferometry and digital beamforming to precisely determine the direction of incoming aerial threats.
The detector is seamlessly integrated with a Data Fusion and Command Centre, consolidating information from various sensors into a single, intuitive operational interface. This empowers security personnel to monitor airspace in real-time, accurately identify and classify aerial threats, analyze spectrum activity, and make swift operational decisions. The company developed the MPADS in direct response to the increasing use of drones in high-altitude and border areas, reinforcing India's commitment to indigenous defense technologies and self-reliant manufacturing.
Recent Financial Performance
Despite the strategic product launch, Zen Technologies recently reported a weaker financial performance for the first quarter. Net profit experienced a 27.8% year-on-year decline, falling to Rs 34.4 crore from Rs 48 crore in the previous period. Revenue from operations also slipped by 10.5%, reaching Rs 141.6 crore compared to Rs 158.2 crore.
Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortisation (EBITDA) saw a significant drop of 40.2%, settling at Rs 38.7 crore from Rs 64.7 crore. Consequently, the EBITDA margin narrowed from 40.9% to 27.3%. Shares of Zen Technologies closed 1.82% lower at Rs 1,768 on Friday, although the stock has seen an overall rise of over 30% so far in 2026.