Odisha Police have floated a tender to procure an anti-drone system with a 2-km radio-frequency jamming range, ending their reliance on National Security Guard technology for limited deployments such as the annual Rath Yatra in Puri.
A senior police officer told The Times of India that the system will be used primarily for coastal security surveillance and can also be deployed near the Jagannath Temple after frequent detection of drones over the shrine and during VVIP programmes. The procurement follows government approval of a proposal submitted last year by former director general of police Y B Khurania.
The proposed anti-drone gun will combine radar detection, radio-frequency analysis and optical sensors to identify unauthorised unmanned aircraft in restricted airspace. According to the technical specifications cited in the report, it will be capable of distinguishing authorised drones from potential threats and tracking multiple targets, including their location, altitude and direction of flight.
The equipment is expected to weigh around 5 kg. It will be handheld or backpack-mounted, with an option for tripod mounting, and designed for use during both daytime and nighttime operations. Police intend to select an agency through the tender process to supply the radio-frequency jammer.
The system will disrupt communication between a drone and its remote controller by jamming data links across multiple radio-frequency bands. The officer said the equipment is expected to neutralise a target within 10 seconds, potentially forcing it to land, hover or return along its flight path. It will also stop live video transmission from the drone to its operator. A controller-panel interface will allow operators to select different jamming modes.
The procurement is part of Odisha Police efforts to strengthen surveillance around sensitive locations and protect restricted airspace. Until now, the state force had relied on the NSG to provide counter-drone technology during the Rath Yatra in Puri. A dedicated system would allow the police to mobilise the capability for coastal areas, the temple precinct and other security-sensitive programmes without waiting for a specialised central deployment.
Drone operators must comply with registration and identification requirements under the Drone Rules, 2021, issued by the Union civil aviation ministry. The rules provide for registration of eligible unmanned aircraft on the Airports Authority of India’s Digital Sky platform and the issuance of a unique identification number. The next formal step is the completion of Odisha Police’s tender process and selection of the equipment supplier.
