- India’s Telangana state has trained eagles, forming the "Garuda Squad," to intercept and destroy rogue drones threatening public safety.
- Eagles are ideal for this role due to their exceptional vision, powerful talons, and natural hunting instincts.
- The squad consists of five hand-reared eagles trained over three years using food-based rewards and drone interception exercises.
- Rogue drones, used for smuggling weapons and drugs, are a growing threat, with over 125 intercepted in 2024 along India-Pakistan borders.
- While cost-effective, the eagles are limited to smaller drones and designated no-fly zones, but their success has sparked interest across India’s security forces.
In a world where drones are becoming increasingly sophisticated and dangerous, India has turned to an unlikely ally to combat the threat: eagles. The southern Indian state of Telangana has pioneered a groundbreaking initiative, training birds of prey to intercept and destroy rogue drones that could endanger public safety or disrupt high-profile events.
Named the “Garuda Squad” after a mythical Hindu sunbird, this elite team of eagles is the first of its kind in India and only the second in the world, following a similar effort in the Netherlands. With their razor-sharp talons, unparalleled vision, and fearless nature, these majestic birds are proving to be a formidable defense against the growing menace of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).
Why eagles are nature’s perfect drone interceptors
Eagles are uniquely suited for this high-stakes role. Their 20/5 vision allows them to spot objects from 20 feet away that humans can only see from five feet, making them exceptionally adept at identifying drones in flight. Their powerful talons can crush a drone mid-air, rendering it harmless.
“With eagles, it’s all about the food and trust,” a Telangana police source told RT. “Once it starts to fully trust you, they will come back for food. So training for intercepting drones was about food. When they successfully intercepted a drone, they were well fed.”
The Garuda Squad consists of five hand-reared eagles, procured as chicks and raised by human handlers. This early bonding ensured the birds grew up fearless and aggressive, essential traits for their mission. Their diet, consisting of fresh meat like rodents, fish, and poultry, is carefully monitored to maintain their health and strength.
Training the feathered warriors
The training process, which took over three years, began with basic commands to establish trust between the eagles and their handlers. Once the birds mastered these commands, they were introduced to drones. Trainers launched drones into the air, and the eagles were taught to identify and intercept them. The birds’ natural hunting instincts kicked in, and they quickly learned to destroy the drones with precision.
The eagles train for up to two hours daily at the Integrated Intelligence Training Academy (IITA) near Hyderabad, where they have access to an aviary for flying and perching. The IITA also trains dogs for explosive detection and crime scene investigations, making it a hub for innovative security solutions.
A growing threat: The rise of rogue drones
The need for such unconventional measures is clear. In recent years, rogue drones have been used to smuggle weapons, drugs, and explosives across India’s borders, particularly in the northern regions of Jammu & Kashmir and Punjab. In 2023 alone, the Border Security Force (BSF) intercepted 107 drones along the India-Pakistan border, a number that rose to 125 in 2024.
While high-tech counter-drone systems like jammers and AI-powered detection tools are available, they come with hefty price tags. The Garuda Squad, by contrast, is a cost-effective solution. “Investment in nano- and macro-level drones for such projects involves millions in expenses,” said Tafseer Iqubal, head of Telangana’s Intelligence Security Wing. “By comparison, our initiative was economical as we spent only on the birds and the training.”
Future prospects
Despite their success, the eagles have limitations. They cannot differentiate between friendly and hostile drones, so they are deployed only in designated “red zones” or no-fly areas. Additionally, they are effective only against smaller drones weighing up to 2 kilograms. Larger drones equipped with anti-collision sensors could potentially evade the birds.
Nevertheless, the Garuda Squad has sparked interest across India’s military and paramilitary forces, including the Army, Coast Guard, and BSF. As drones continue to evolve, so too will the methods to counter them. For now, India’s eagles are soaring high, proving that sometimes, the best defense is a natural one.
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