In a pioneering move to bolster national security, Gujarat’s Deendayal Port, formerly known as Kandla Port, has become the first Indian port to acquire a state-of-the-art anti-drone defense system. The project, valued at ₹58 crore ($6.6 million), is a significant step toward safeguarding India’s critical maritime infrastructure from modern threats.
The new Anti-Drone Surveillance and Neutralisation System is a vital shield for the port, which is strategically located in the Gulf of Kutch near the border with Pakistan. This proximity makes it a sensitive and potential target for hostile drones, which have been increasingly used for intelligence gathering and reconnaissance. The system is designed to detect and neutralize enemy drones from up to 15 kilometers away using a “soft kill” approach.
“Kandla will be the first port to set up an anti-drone system that will have the ability to soft kill or neutralise (enemy) drones,” said Sushil Kumar Singh, Chairman of the Deendayal Port Authority. The system uses signal jamming and spoofing to take down drones without causing collateral damage, a crucial feature given the port’s extensive tank farms holding hazardous chemicals and flammable substances.
The urgency for such a system was highlighted after recent military operations and incidents where drones were spotted in the region. The project, which involves installing four anti-drone stations across the port’s 200-acre area, is a proactive measure to protect human lives, vital cargo, and a critical trade hub.
This move is expected to serve as a blueprint for other major Indian ports, strengthening the country’s maritime security and setting a new standard for infrastructure protection.
