In a first for Indian ports, Deendayal Port, Kandla in Gujarat will soon be equipped with an advanced Anti-Drone Surveillance and Neutralisation System to safeguard critical infrastructure, cargo, and personnel.
The ₹58-crore project will see four anti-drone stations fitted with radars and signal-jamming technology, covering 200 acres, including the port’s sprawling tank farms that store hazardous chemicals, edible oils, and petroleum products. The system will be capable of detecting and “soft-killing” hostile drones from a distance of up to 15 kilometres.
“We have one of the biggest tank farms with 1,200 storage tanks. Any drone strike or leakage could have dangerous consequences. This system will help detect enemy drones early and jam their signals,” said Sushil Kumar Singh, Chairman of Deendayal Port Authority (DPA).
The move comes months after Operation Sindoor in May 2025, when enemy drones forced black-outs and temporary shutdowns at Kandla Port. While the disruption did not dent Kandla’s first-quarter performance in FY26, nearby Mundra Port saw cargo volumes drop by 6.2 per cent.
DPA has already floated an Expression of Interest (EoI), with five companies — including start-ups and private players that deployed anti-drone systems during Operation Sindoor — showing interest.
Once installed, Kandla Port will become the first port in India to deploy a dedicated anti-drone defence system, setting a benchmark for security preparedness at the country’s maritime gateways.