How Upgraded L-70 Bofors Guns Emerged As India’s Key Defence Against Pakistan's Drone Warfare

In one of the largest drone incursions in the region, Pakistan deployed hundreds of UAVs targeting Indian military and strategic locations last year. While India activated its full air defence network, a surprising system played a critical role — the decades-old L-70 Bofors gun.Originally designed in the 1940s and inducted into the Indian Army in the 1960s, the L-70 has been upgraded with modern targeting systems, radar integration, and counter-drone capabilities. These enhancements have transformed it into an effective weapon against low-flying, hard-to-detect UAVs.This explainer breaks down how legacy systems like the L-70 are being adapted for modern warfare, why they remain relevant, and what this means for India’s evolving air defence strategy.