Punjab to Acquire Advanced Anti-Drone System to Combat Cross-Border Smuggling

• Mar 20, 2025

In a bid to curb cross-border smuggling of drugs, weapons, and explosives via drones, the Punjab government is set to acquire a sophisticated anti-drone system for deployment along the border belt, in collaboration with central agencies.

A trial run of the integrated counter-drone system was conducted on Wednesday at Naushehra Dhalla, a border village known as a drone activity hotspot. The event was attended by Cabinet ministers Aman Arora and Laljit Singh Bhullar, Special DGP RN Dhoke, and ADGP Sudhanshu Srivastava.

Rising Drone Threat Along Punjab Border

The increasing use of drones for cross-border trafficking has posed a significant challenge to security and intelligence agencies, particularly in the Tarn Taran and Amritsar districts, which report the highest number of drone intrusions.

• In 2024, the Border Security Force (BSF) shot down 294 drones along the Punjab border, a sharp rise from 107 in 2023.
• In the first two months of 2024 alone, over 50 drones have already been intercepted.

Anti-Drone Technology Demonstration

During the trial run, Adani Defence and Aerospace officials demonstrated the working of an advanced integrated counter-drone system.

According to Abhimanyu Arya, a retired commander and company official, the system is designed to:

• Detect the direction and radio frequency of drones within a 10 km radius.
• Jam signals to neutralize drone movement.
• Operate in directional and omni-directional modes to detect multiple drones simultaneously.

"Similar anti-drone systems are already deployed along the northern and western borders of the country," Arya added.

Strengthening Punjab’s Defence Strategy

Cabinet Minister Aman Arora emphasized that the trial marks a significant step in enhancing Punjab’s security infrastructure.

"This advanced anti-drone technology trial at Naushehra Dhalla village is a crucial step in strengthening Punjab’s defence capabilities," he said.

Earlier, similar trial demonstrations were conducted in Mohali, where three different companies showcased their equipment.

Next Steps: Tendering Process to Begin Soon

• The Punjab government is currently in the final stages of selecting a firm for the procurement of the anti-drone system.
• The tendering process is expected to commence within a month.
• The anti-drone systems will be a key component of Punjab’s broader strategy to fortify its second line of defence against cross-border threats.

With increasing incidents of drone infiltration, Punjab’s proactive steps in deploying cutting-edge technology will play a pivotal role in safeguarding national security and border integrity.