China’s Jiu Tian Drone Mothership and How India Can Counter It

China’s Jiu Tian Drone Mothership and How India Can Counter It

China has unveiled the Jiu Tian (“Nine Heavens”), a drone mothership capable of launching over 100 suicide drones at once. This high-altitude UAV, introduced at the Zhuhai Air Show, has a takeoff weight of 16 tonnes and can carry 6 tonnes of advanced munitions, including AI-powered kamikaze drones, air-to-ground missiles, and precision bombs. With a 7,000 km range and 50,000 ft operating ceiling, Jiu Tian is built for long-range strikes, surveillance, and electronic warfare.

Its main threat lies in AI-enabled swarm drone attacks designed to overwhelm enemy air defenses. However, the drone mothership’s slow speed, lack of stealth, and large radar signature make it a vulnerable target in contested airspace.

India is ready to counter this emerging threat through a multi-layered defense strategy. Long-range systems like S-400 and Akash-NG can intercept the mothership. Directed Energy Weapons and electronic warfare systems like Samyukta can disrupt or destroy drone swarms. DRDO is developing indigenous AI drone swarms and anti-drone technologies. Real-time tracking using RISAT satellites and interception by Rafale or Su-30 MKI jets adds another layer of security.

While China’s Jiu Tian is a bold advancement in drone warfare, India’s robust defense infrastructure, including integrated air defense, EW capabilities, and surveillance systems, ensures it is well-equipped to neutralize such threats.