Odisha Police Floats Tender for 2-km Anti-Drone Jamming System

BHUBANESWAR: Odisha Police have initiated the procurement of an anti-drone system with a 2-kilometre radio-frequency jamming range to bolster aerial security across the state. The move transitions the state force from relying on central agencies to managing counter-drone operations independently for coastal and sensitive installations [1, 3].

Until now, the state police depended on the National Security Guard (NSG) to deploy counter-drone technology, primarily during limited events such as the annual Rath Yatra in Puri [1, 3]. A proposal to equip the state force with its own counter-unmanned aerial technology was submitted last year by former director general of police Y B Khurania and has now received government approval [1, 3].

The procurement is being processed through the Government e-Marketplace (GeM) under tender ID GEM/2026/B/8088531, which seeks a single unit of a passive detection anti-drone jammer. The bid submission window opened on October 2 and closed on October 23, 2026, requiring an Earnest Money Deposit of Rs 12 lakh from participants.

According to technical specifications, the equipment will weigh approximately 5 kg and can be handheld, backpack-mounted, or placed on a tripod for both daytime and nighttime operations [1, 3]. A senior police officer explained, “The device will disrupt communication between a drone and its remote controller by jamming data links across multiple radio frequency bands. Once activated, the system is expected to neutralise a target within 10 seconds, forcing it to land, hover in place or return along its flight path. The disruption will also stop video transmission from the drone to its operator”.

The system will feature a controller-panel interface allowing operators to select specific jamming modes. Highlighting the deployment strategy, the officer stated, “Following the govt’s approval, we have floated a tender to select an agency to supply the anti-drone radio frequency jammer. We plan to deploy it primarily for coastal security surveillance. It can also be mobilised near Jagannath temple following frequent detection of drones over the shrine and during VVIP programmes”.

This dedicated capability allows the state to respond swiftly to unauthorised unmanned aircraft without waiting for specialised central deployment. The procurement aligns with the Drone Rules, 2021, issued by the Union civil aviation ministry, which mandate the registration of eligible unmanned aircraft on the Airports Authority of India’s Digital Sky platform [1, 3]. It is worth noting that while initial reports indicated the system would combine radar detection and optical sensors [1, 3], the official tender document specifically describes a passive detection jammer without radar.

The selection of the equipment supplier will mark a significant upgrade in the state's internal security infrastructure. By integrating this technology, Odisha Police aim to prevent potential security breaches and ensure the safety of restricted airspace around critical coastal and religious landmarks [3, 5].