If the previous edition of Aero India showcased the latest in drone technologies as being the future in frontline warfare, the 2019 edition saw discussions on “anti-drone” technology.
The drone regulation policy unveiled by the Ministry of Civil Aviation last year is expected to spur development and research on drones in India.
As unmanned aerial vehicles are cheaper and more common, the threat to national security and privacy concerns remain high too. Vikram J. Singh, senior adviser, Aerospace and Defence, U.S.–India Strategic Partnership Forum, said in 2015, there were perhaps 10 anti-drone companies in the global market.
“Now, there are nearly 300 such companies. The reason for this is the proliferation of drones which have been deployed by non-state actors in Syria and Ukraine. They pose a threat to world leaders, stadiums, and airports,” he said during a seminar on anti-drone technologies held at the Aero India 2019 on Wednesday.
Larry Schuette, director, Global Science and Technology Engagement, Lockheed, said countries were heading to a new stage of drone-versus-drone warfare.
“What is needed is an inexpensive, dynamic/kinetic system which can be deployed repeatedly against drones and swarms of drones,” he said.
Unique IDs
One way of control of drones is through introduction of unique identification for all drone licences, which is prescribed in India’s drone policy, said Rahul Chaudhary, chair, Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) Committee on Homeland Security.
“While it is a technological challenge, if implemented, it can bring a lot of control on drones in the country,” he said.