Kandla: The Deendayal Port Authority (DPA) has planned a significant security upgrade for one of the nation’s largest ports, the Kandla port area, through the procurement of an Anti-Drone Technology System.

To be deployed at the major port located in proximity to the international border with Pakista, this turnkey project, estimated to cost approximately ₹74.50 crore (excluding GST), will be executed in Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) mode, for which bids have been invited by the DPA. The contract includes the design, installation, testing, and commissioning of the system within 150 days, followed by five years of operational assistance and a Comprehensive Annual Maintenance Contract (CAMC).

The integrated Counter-Unmanned Aerial System (C-UAS) is designed to protect critical port infrastructure from aerial threats, including micro- and small Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) as well as drone swarms. The system will provide 24×7 all-weather surveillance using a multi-layered defence approach that includes an Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar with 360° coverage, RF sensors, and high-definition Electro-Optical/Infrared (EO/IR) cameras for target detection and identification.

For neutralisation, the technology will feature both “soft kill” capabilities, such as RF and GNSS jamming with a range of up to 10 km, and “hard kill” kinetic engagement options. The hard-kill component includes a Remote Weapon Station (RWS) equipped with a Gatling gun-based engagement system capable of firing up to 3,000 rounds per minute.

To ensure military-grade reliability, the DPA has specified that eligible bidders must have prior experience in supplying or installing anti-drone systems for the Indian Armed Forces (Navy, Army, or Air Force). The project also aligns with national initiatives such as “Make in India” and “Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan”, prioritising indigenously designed, developed, and manufactured technology. DeshGujarat