Kandla Port to Pioneer India’s First Maritime Anti-Drone Defense System Against Enemy Threats
Gandhinagar – Gujarat’s strategic Kandla port is poised to make history as India’s inaugural seaport to deploy advanced Anti-Drone Surveillance and Neutralisation Technology, capable of identifying hostile unmanned aircraft from substantial distances and executing “soft-kill” neutralization protocols. The facility’s critical location within the Gulf of Kutch, positioned near India’s frontier with Pakistan, makes it a priority target for enhanced security measures.
Strategic Defense Implementation Following Military Operations
Sushil Kumar Singh, Chairman of the Deendayal Port Authority (DPA) overseeing Kandla operations, confirmed the groundbreaking initiative to businessline, stating, “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.”
The timing of this anti-drone procurement follows closely behind Operation Sindoor, the comprehensive military strike executed by Indian Armed Forces on May 7, which targeted terrorist installations across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). This operation served as India’s strategic response to the devastating April 22 Pahalgam assault that claimed 26 civilian lives.
Critical Infrastructure Protection Priorities
Singh emphasized the system’s vital role in protecting essential port infrastructure, personnel, and cargo shipments during elevated security alerts and potential conflict scenarios. The port’s vulnerability stems from its massive industrial footprint, particularly its extensive storage capabilities.
“We have one of the biggest tank farms consisting of 1,200 storage tanks that hold hazardous and toxic chemicals like acids and ammonia, edible oil. Any leakage in these tanks can cause a dangerous situation. Last time drones were spotted in this region and so the plan is to install a system that can detect enemy drones from far and jam its signals thus ensuring a soft kill,” Singh elaborated.
Comprehensive Defense Network Specifications
The ambitious Rs 580 million ($6.6 million) initiative encompasses the installation of four sophisticated anti-drone surveillance and neutralization platforms across a 200-acre coverage area, encompassing both the primary port facilities and the critical tank farm installations. Each station will feature permanent radar installations, specialized drone detection technology, and dedicated control centers for operational command.
The cutting-edge system boasts impressive technical capabilities, with the capacity to identify and neutralize threatening drones from distances reaching approximately 15 kilometers. The DPA initiated the procurement process through an Expression of Interest invitation, which attracted responses from five qualified defense technology companies, including several firms that had previously demonstrated their anti-drone capabilities during the recent Operation Sindoor military engagement.