Kerala Police develops counter-drone mechanism, launch soon

Thiruvananthapuram: Soon, the Kerala Police will launch an indigenously-developed 'killer drone' aimed at neutralising and destroying fighter drones.

The work of the product, which is being given finishing touches at the Kerala Police's Drone Forensic Research Institute functioning at the Special Armed Police (SAP) camp at Peroorkada in Thiruvananthapuram, is expected to be completed in two months.

The anti-drone can be fitted on jeeps and its radar can identify drones flying within a 5-km radius. The details such as the speed of the approaching drone and its direction will appear on the computer screen.

The approaching drone can be neutralised either using jammers or through lasers. Since it has been fitted on a jeep, the anti-drone can be used anywhere.

This is our first attempt to develop such an indigenous model, said Kerala Police Cyberdome Nodal Officer and ADGP Manoj Abraham.

Several other drones are also being developed at the centre. As many as 40 police personnel have already been given simulator training on how to use the drones. They will also be given real training soon

Earlier, one of the companies approached by the Kerala Police asked for Rs 12 crore for developing the drone jammer and other facilities.

Later, the police with the help of its cyber experts, a group of retired cyber experts of the Indian Navy and Air Force, and Kerala Drone Association developed a software in the lab.

According to Manoj Abraham, the total cost incurred for the project was only Rs 1 crore, including the amount spent for purchasing a few gadgets.

A few start-up companies also joined the initiative. It took almost two years of research to develop the system.