The Punjab government has moved a step closer to deploying anti-drone systems (ADS) capable of neutralising droves of drones — both combat-oriented and otherwise — at multiple points along its over 500-kilometre border with Pakistan, The Indian Express has learnt.
Having approved Rs 51.4 crore for the initiative at an emergency Cabinet meeting called by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann during peak hostilities between India and Pakistan earlier this month, sources said the procurement and deployment of the ADSs, which will be capable of identifying and neutralising unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) as well as unmanned combat aerial vehicles (UCAVs) within an eight to ten kilometre range, will be done in the coming months.
“The tendering process for ADSs has been completed and the first tranche is expected to be deployed within three months,” a senior Punjab government official said.
“The move, in coordination with the central government and agencies, will make Punjab the first state to deploy such units along the International Border from Pathankot to Abohar,” the official said.
Though he did not share details, Gaurav Yadav, the Punjab Director General of Police, told The Indian Express, “The Punjab Police is in complete coordination with the central government to supplement efforts in this regard. Together, we will leave no stone unturned to ensure the safety and security of India from such drone-related threats.”
Swarms of poor quality, basic drones camouflaging among them a handful of surveillance and attack drones were part of Pakistan’s strategy to map Indian military installations, gather intelligence, carry out limited attacks and overwhelm air defences in the days following India’s launch of Operation Sindoor against terror infrastructure across the border, according to military sources.
According to an official, “The systems being procured can handle multiple drone swarms in one go; they are capable of neutralising UAVs and UCAVs by impacting radio communication between them and their launcher as soon as they enter an eight to 10 kilometre range.”
To be utilised at strategic locations identified as vulnerable based on drone sightings in the past, the Punjab police’s systems will supplement those of the BSF and other central forces.
“Following an assessment of locations near the border as part of a joint exercise between the Punjab police and central agencies, these systems will be deployed primarily in regions having significant drone activity to supplement the BSF’s systems in the second line of defence,” the official said.
“These systems will also supplement the existing border security units in combating drug and weapon smuggling via drones,” said another official.
“Earlier, payloads of contraband of 10 to 12 kg used to be part of cross-border intrusions, but the BSF’s deployment of its systems has had increasing success in thwarting them. Being portable, the deployment of Punjab police ADSs will keep changing as per operational requirements and, in case of any specific requirement, they may also be deployed in urban areas,” the official said.
According to sources, Punjab did not have these systems earlier since most ADSs were in the testing and approval phase under the supervision of the Ministry of Home Affairs by its Anti Rogue Drone Technology Committee (ARDTC).
“Now, after due testing, MHA has approved a few systems for purchase by the state police forces, after taking due permissions from the ministry,” the official said.
“The project uses an evolving technology, and these systems are expected to get regular software/hardware updates to address the evolving drone scenarios in the future. Punjab police will also interact with other security agencies and work on upgrading the systems as per requirements,” the official added.
Border Security Force (BSF) personnel stands guard during a demonstration on how they foiled a major infiltration bid in the Samba sector during Operation Sindoor, in Samba on Wednesday. (ANI Photo)
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