The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) have decided to install anti-drone systems at all major and minor civil airports across India. The decision was taken at a recent high-level joint meeting and comes in the wake of rising security risks and the possibility of future war-like situations, senior officials said on Sunday.

The government’s decision has been strongly influenced by the experience gained during Operation Sindoor, which followed the April 2025 Pahalgam terror attack, where 26 civilians were killed.

In the days after the attack, India and Pakistan were involved in a tense military exchange. Indian forces carried out strikes on terrorist bases inside Pakistan, and Pakistani drones were spotted flying over Indian territory, several of which were shot down by India’s defence systems.

These events highlighted how drones are increasingly being used as tools in modern warfare and how they pose serious risks to civilian areas, including airports.

While the long-term plan is to cover all airports, officials said the project will be implemented in phases. In the first phase, anti-drone systems will be installed at high-sensitivity airports such as Delhi, Mumbai, Amritsar, Jammu and Srinagar

These locations were chosen because they have historically faced higher security threats and were directly involved in the recent military escalation. First time anti-drone tech will be used at purely civilian airports

This is the first time India will deploy anti-drone systems at airports that handle only civilian passenger traffic. Until now, such systems were primarily used by defence and border security agencies.

Officials said the systems will help detect, track, and neutralise any rogue drone entering airport airspace, an important step as drones have become effective and inexpensive tools in new-age conflict.

The MHA is leading the project, while BCAS has formed a dedicated committee to handle planning and execution. This committee includes representatives from:

• Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA)

• Central Industrial Security Force (CISF)

• Airport security and technical experts

• Other relevant stakeholders

The government is currently reviewing the technical specifications of the anti-drone equipment. Once finalised, the MHA will coordinate with the Ministry of Civil Aviation and direct airport operators to install systems that meet national security requirements.

A senior official said the government is also studying anti-drone models already in use at major airports abroad to adopt the most effective technology. Deadlines for installation at different airports will be fixed after the specifications are approved.