Astrome Wins Indian Army and DIO's iDEX DISC 14 Challenge to Develop Advanced Man-Portable ELINT System

Astrome has been named the winner of the Indian Army and Defence Innovation Organisation’s (DIO) iDEX DISC 14 Challenge, paving the way for the development of an advanced man-portable Electronic Intelligence (ELINT) system equipped with Electronic Support Measures (ESM) capabilities, the company announced.

The proposed system aims to improve the Indian Army’s tactical electronic warfare capabilities through wideband signal detection, accurate direction-finding and real-time signal analysis. Designed for challenging operational conditions, the platform is intended to function effectively in high-altitude areas and forward-border locations.

The project seeks to deliver an indigenous technology solution tailored to the Indian Army’s changing operational needs. Its portable design is expected to help frontline troops detect, identify and track potentially hostile electronic emitters across a wide range of frequencies. The iDEX DISC 14 Challenge was launched to address key shortcomings in conventional ELINT systems, including limited frequency coverage, reduced direction-finding precision, inadequate portability and a lack of sophisticated analytical capabilities.

Astrome’s proposed solution is expected to strengthen battlefield awareness by enabling military personnel to monitor, classify and analyse electronic signals in real time. These capabilities could prove valuable in contested electromagnetic environments, where identifying potential threats quickly can support operational decision-making.

The initiative also supports India’s broader defence indigenisation objectives. Through the Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) framework, the government encourages Indian startups and technology companies to develop advanced, locally designed solutions that address the requirements of the armed forces. The man-portable ELINT/ESM platform could support tactical electronic warfare, intelligence collection and the continuous surveillance of adversary electronic activity, particularly in strategically important border regions.