Paras Defence says it signed deal with US-based Powerus, linked to Trump family, to build Guardian-1 drone interceptor three months before Pakistan pact

Paras Defence Space and Technology, a Navi Mumbai-based defence company, has said its partnership to manufacture and sell the Guardian-1 counter-drone interceptor in India is aimed at strengthening the country’s indigenous defence capabilities. as per a TOI report. The company’s statement comes after its US technology partner, Powerus Corporation, which has ties to US President Donald Trump’s sons, Donald Trump Jr and Eric Trump, entered into a separate defence arrangement with the Pakistan military involving the same counter-drone system.

The agreement was signed around three months before representatives of Powerus met Pakistan military leadership in Rawalpindi, secured a limited procurement order for the counter-drone interceptor and signed a memorandum of understanding with the Pakistan Army in September.

Paras Defence signed the licensing agreement on June 30 with Tandem Defence, a wholly owned subsidiary of Powerus Corporation. Under the agreement, Paras Defence received an exclusive intellectual property licence to manufacture and sell the Guardian-1, a high-speed, battery-powered interceptor, in India.

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Paras Defence says focus is on India-specific defence capability

Paras Defence told TOI, it had identified the potential of the Guardian-1 technology at an early stage and initiated discussions to bring the capability to India.

The company said its partnership with Powerus was intended to facilitate technology transfer and establish indigenous manufacturing capabilities in India. It added that Powerus’ role in the arrangement was primarily focused on technology transfer, while the broader objective was to develop manufacturing and operational capabilities within India.

Paras Defence further said its focus remained on developing and strengthening India-centric defence capabilities, with the technology and know-how being adapted to the requirements of the Indian defence ecosystem.The development assumes significance amid scrutiny over the fact that Powerus has also entered into a defence arrangement with Pakistan involving the Guardian-1 counter-drone interceptor. Powerus has reported financial ties to Donald Trump Jr and Eric Trump, a connection that has also drawn attention in the context of military hardware suppliers and the transfer of unmanned systems between countries with competing security interests.

Guardian-1 counter-drone interceptor capabilities

The Guardian-1 is a battery-powered, high-speed interceptor designed for counter-drone operations. According to the technical specifications provided, the system weighs 2.65 kg with its battery and can carry a maximum payload of 0.5 kg.

Its maximum speed is listed at 290-340 kmph, while its cruising speed is 160 kmph. The interceptor has a maximum flight time of 28 minutes, which comes down to nine minutes when loaded. Its working flight distance is 15 km and its maximum operating altitude is 5,000 metres.

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How Guardian-1 works

01: Target Designation

The navigator receives target designation from the radar crew based on azimuth and gives the command to take off and direction.

02: Manual Launch

The pilot takes off and goes to the interception square using manual flight control.

03: Radar Correction

The target is displayed on radar so it sees both the target and interceptor and corrects the flight.

04: Visual Intercept

When approaching the pilot finds the target visually through the camera, approaches and destroys the target.