Anti-drone system to be installed in VOC Port within three months

In a landmark step towards strengthening maritime and coastal security, V.O. Chidambaranar Port Authority has become India’s first port to initiate steps to install advanced ‘Anti-Drone System’, marking a significant milestone in the protection of critical port infrastructure.

The project involves the deployment of comprehensive integrated Radio Frequency (RF) and radar-based drone detection and jamming system, specifically tailored for complex port environments, providing 360-degree coverage and omnidirectional bearing. The drone detector, drone detection radar and man-pack jammer together form a comprehensive security system providing omnidirectional coverage with an effective range of up to 5 km.

Designed for quick deployment, the system enhances security in sensitive operational areas and represents a significant advancement in indigenous electronic countermeasure capability. The system enables real-time detection, tracking, classification and neutralisation of unauthorised drones, thereby safeguarding strategic assets, personnel and port operations.

The agreement for the project was formally signed by A. Ganesan, Chief Mechanical Engineer, V.O. Chidambaranar Port Authority and Anurag Agarwal, on behalf of Central Electronics Limited (CEL), a Government of India enterprise under the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, Ministry of Science and Technology in the presence of Susanta Kumar Purohit, chairman, VOC Port Authority and Deputy Chairperson Rajesh Soundararajan. The project is scheduled to be completed within the next three months. The initiative aims to strengthen airspace surveillance, ensuring compliance with emerging coastal defence norms, and improving emergency response preparedness at the Port. This pioneering initiative underscores the VOC Port Authority’s commitment to adopting next-generation security technologies and strengthening national maritime security. Upon implementation, the Anti-Drone System will significantly enhance the Port’s operational resilience and position VOC Port as a benchmark for security innovation across Indian ports, Mr. Susanta Kumar Purohit said.