Indo-Pak Hostilities: Critical need for developing civilian counter-drone systems

The hostilities between India and Pakistan have “proved beyond doubt” the critical need to develop robust civilian counter-drone systems in the country.

For the uninitiated, a counter drone system is used to identify rogue Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) with the help of radars, RF detectors, and cameras.

After detection, the system then neutralises the rogue drone by using jamming, spoofing, guns, or even micro missiles.

Speaking with businessline, the Drone Federation India’s President Smit Shah cited that the threat posed by drones, particularly in the context of terrorist attacks, necessitates “immediate attention and action.”

According to Shah, key civilian institutions, including power plants, airports, factories, and railway stations, are vulnerable to drone intrusions and require effective warning systems to prevent potential threats.

The DFI stressed that anti-drone systems should be an integral component of the overall security apparatus, providing multidimensional protection against evolving threats.

“The threat is real, as evidenced by London’s Heathrow airport, which faced similar challenges in December 2018,” he said.

“The use of drones in terrorist attacks poses a significant risk, especially at airports, where security is paramount. To mitigate this threat, India needs to develop and design affordable radars and spoofing systems for use in anti-drone apparatus.”

As per industry sources, the central government is “actively considering” a new scheme to promote the development of counter-drone systems in India.

Besides, the scheme aims to boost manufacturing of UAS components and the development of software.

Industry insiders told businessline, that the proposed scheme will replace the now-defunct Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) for the drone sector.

The new scheme, industry sources said, is estimated to have a fund outlay of around ₹1,000 crore over a three-year time period.

“By investing in this technology, India can significantly enhance its security infrastructure and protect critical infrastructure from potential attacks,” Shah said.

“The development of indigenous counter-drone systems will not only bolster national security but also provide a strategic edge in the face of emerging threats.”

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Published on May 11, 2025