Gujarat police to buy anti-drone system

AHMEDABAD: To deal with the threat posed by unauthorized unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and unmanned aerial systems (UASs) the Gujarat police has decided to purchase an anti-drone system for Rs 5-6 crore.
A trial run of the anti-drone radar was held during the recent Rath Yatra procession in the city. The system was kept near the temple premises to detect and locate UAVs and act to prevent harm to civilians.
It was programmed to send warning signals to the control room in case of detection of unauthorized drones.
“From the control room, experts can cut off signals received by any suspicious drone and push it back to its launching base, or bring it down,” said a top Gujarat police official.
A police official said, “Gujarat police plans to buy one such system which costs about Rs 5-6 crore. The anti-drone system would be used during occasions where a huge number of people are to gather.”
Police officials said that in addition to the anti- drone system, they will also get 12 drones for aerial surveillance.
“Gujarat being a border state with more than 100 islands located near its 1,600km long coastline, drones can be helpful in watching uninhabited and vulnerable islands,” said a senior police official.