Government sets norms for guns to counter drones

The government has cleared the guidelines for anti-drone guns to be deployed by security forces for neutralising rogue drones in border areas, said officials.

The Border Security Force (BSF), National Security Guards (NSG) and Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) are also working to develop an indigenous anti-drone system.

As per the guidelines, approved with suggestions from the BSF, the anti-drone guns will be required to destroy unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) or groups of UAVs (swarm attack) from at least 1,000 metres for nano UAVs and 2,500 metres for large UAVs.

Further, as per the guidelines, "the technology should be capable of neutralising the flying objects (like copters, fixed wing UAVs and radio-controlled UAVs in different categories in specified range) and jam all-operating GPS, standard remote-control frequency of the UAV". Officials said suggestions have been sought from drone manufacturers and experts to improve the anti-drone grid.

"The recent drone strikes at Abu Dhabi have demonstrated the threats from rogue drones. The security at the vital installations near the border is constantly under review," said a home ministry official, who did not wish to be identified.

On January 17, Yemen's Houthis targeted the Musaffah ICAD 3 area and the new construction area at Abu Dhabi International Airport, both civilian infrastructure. The attacks led to the explosion of three petroleum tankers, killing two Indian civilians and one Pakistani civilian and injuring six others, including two Indians.

Last year, improvised explosive devices (IEDs) were dropped at Jammu's Indian Air Force base station using drones that were suspected to have originated from across the border. The probe, being conducted by the National Investigation Agency (NIA), is yet to make any significant breakthrough. The border state of Punjab has witnessed 150 drone sightings, from 2018-21, while many of them remained unaccounted for. Most of these UAVs are loaded with IED, explosive hand grenades and weapons.

"Rogue drones also pose risks to vital installations. The installations are vulnerable and have the potential to cripple the smooth functioning of the country," said another official, who also did not wish to be identified.