India’s largest civil airports, including those in Delhi and Mumbai, are set to install advanced anti-drone systems for the first time as part of a national security upgrade aimed at countering emerging aerial threats. The move follows heightened global military tensions and recent regional incidents that highlighted how drones have rapidly evolved into low-cost and high-risk tools of modern conflict. Officials said the technology will be deployed in phases, beginning with high-sensitivity locations near international borders.
The Ministry of Home Affairs is leading the initiative, supported by a committee formed by the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security. The panel includes representatives from the aviation regulator, airport security agencies and technical experts tasked with defining performance standards for the systems. According to officials, consultations have focused on assessing international models and determining which technologies can be adapted to Indian airports without disrupting daily operations.Airports in Delhi, Mumbai, Srinagar and Jammu have been prioritised for the first phase owing to their security sensitivity and passenger volumes. Officials familiar with the plan said that, once specifications are finalised, procurement orders will be issued to airport operators with clear timelines for installation. The initiative marks a significant shift for civil aviation, which until now relied largely on perimeter surveillance and conventional policing to detect unauthorised aerial activity.
The decision was influenced by recent escalations between India and Pakistan, during which drones were spotted crossing the border and several were neutralised by defence forces. Security officials said that such incidents underscored the vulnerabilities of airports located near strategic corridors. They emphasised that civil aviation hubs require integrated detection and neutralisation tools capable of protecting flight paths, terminals and surrounding communities.Urban mobility and aviation experts noted that drone-related risks are likely to grow as Indian cities expand their reliance on unmanned aerial vehicles for commercial logistics, surveying and emergency response. They said the rollout of anti-drone systems must be accompanied by transparent guidelines to balance innovation with public safety, especially as cities transition towards technology-enabled transport and service networks.From an urban policy perspective, securing airports is essential for resilient and future-ready cities, particularly as these hubs often sit within dense residential and commercial districts. Stronger protection against rogue drones is expected to improve passenger confidence and reduce the likelihood of service disruptions that disproportionately affect vulnerable travellers.
Analysts added that, in the long term, India’s experience could inform the development of drone governance frameworks for sustainable cities.
Officials stressed that installation will be carried out with careful attention to environmental impact, community safety and operational efficiency. Once the systems are commissioned across major airports, the programme will expand to smaller non-metro facilities, ensuring uniform protection across the civil aviation network.
Mumbai Delhi And Civil Airports To Install First Ever Advanced Anti Drone Systems
