Gujarat’s Kandla port is set to create history by becoming the first port in India to install an Anti-Drone Surveillance and Neutralisation System. The system will be able to detect enemy drones from a distance and neutralise them by blocking their signals, a process known as “soft kill.”

The port, located in the Gulf of Kutch and close toIndia’s border with Pakistan, is one of the country’s most important trade hubs. According to Sushil Kumar Singh, Chairman of the Deendayal Port Authority (DPA), the new security measure will protect vital infrastructure, workers, and cargo in times of high alert or conflict.

This move comes after Operation Sindoor on May 7, when the Indian Armed Forces carried out strikes on terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. The operation was launched in response to the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, which claimed 26 civilian lives. The incident raised concerns about security at strategic locations like ports, prompting authorities to strengthen defences.

Kandla port has one of India’s largest tank farms, consisting of over 1,200 storage tanks that hold dangerous chemicals such as ammonia and acids, along with edible oils. Any drone strike on these tanks could trigger a massive disaster. Drones have been spotted in the region before, which made the need for an advanced anti-drone system even more urgent.

The project is estimated to cost around ₹58 crore ($6.6 million). It will include four anti-drone surveillance and neutralisation stations covering nearly 200 acres of the port and tank farm areas. Each station will be equipped with radars, drone detection devices, and a dedicated control room to manage operations.

With this development, Kandla port will become the first Indian port to adopt such cutting-edge technology. This step is expected to improve not just port security but also contribute to national safety, ensuring that India’s crucial trade hub remains secure against modern threats.