Hubballi youth’s firm develops gun to capture unauthorised drones

BENGALURU:A young man from Hubballi has become an inspiration to the youths as his firm has developed a gun to neutralize unauthorised drones by jamming their signals or shooting them down. The product was displayed at the Aero India air show which concluded on Friday.

Ankush started his own defence company at a young age and manufactured an anti-drone gun called ‘Astra’. This gun can fire a net to capture enemy drones that enter restricted areas. When fired, the Astra gun throws a net, knocking down the enemy drone and capturing it.

After completing his undergraduate studies, Ankush started the company alone with a dream to achieve something in the field of defence. Now, his company employs 20-30 people. Negotiations are under way to introduce this device to the Indian Army.

Ankush, from Astra Defence Company, said, “Anti-drone system is the need of hour. I had a dream in my college days that I should contribute something to defence or the army. I manufactured an assault rifle during my college days. Taking this as an inspiration, I have started the company and I am producing guns, the Atal pistol, in memory of Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Made in Hubballi weapons are used throughout India. The accuracy of the Astra is over 84 per cent. We are manufacturing the first long-range capture system in the world. We have already got a contract. Trials are ongoing, and it will be inducted in the next three to four months”.