Kandla Port, officially known as the Deendayal Port Authority (DPA), is preparing to script history by becoming the first Indian port to deploy a cutting-edge anti-drone surveillance and neutralization system. Located strategically on the Gulf of Kutch, near India’s western border with Pakistan, Kandla is not only a hub of trade but also a sensitive installation from a security perspective. The upcoming system will be able to detect, track, and neutralize enemy drones from a distance of 15 kilometers, offering unprecedented protection for one of India’s most vital maritime gateways.

Why Kandla Needs It the Most

Kandla is no ordinary port; it houses India’s largest tank farm with more than 1,200 storage tanks filled with hazardous and inflammable substances such as ammonia, acids, petroleum, and edible oils. A single drone strike on these tanks could trigger massive fire, explosions, and chemical leaks, endangering thousands of workers, nearby communities, and billions worth of cargo. This decision, therefore, is not just about safeguarding trade—it is about protecting human lives and preventing potential disasters.

Link to National Security

The urgency of such security measures became clear after Operation Sindoor, launched by the Indian Armed Forces on May 7, 2025, in retaliation for the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22 that killed 26 civilians. During the operation, Indian forces targeted terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). Drones have increasingly been used by hostile forces to gather intelligence, smuggle contraband, and even launch attacks. In sensitive border states like Punjab, Jammu & Kashmir, and Gujarat, drones from across the border have already been spotted on multiple occasions. For a port as crucial as Kandla, located so close to Pakistan, this technology becomes not just necessary but indispensable.

How the Anti-Drone System Works

The anti-drone system being set up at Kandla is designed for “soft kill” operations. Instead of physically shooting down drones, which could cause collateral damage, the system uses signal jamming, spoofing, and advanced surveillance radars to detect drones from as far as 15 kilometers, track and classify threats using radar and electro-optical sensors, and jam communication and navigation signals, effectively grounding the drone. The radars also neutralize threats without explosions or debris falling into sensitive areas.This makes the system safer and more effective for a port environment, where explosions could prove disastrous. The Rs 580 million ($6.6 million) project involves installing four anti-drone surveillance and neutralization stations across the 200-acre port and tank farm area. Each station will have its own control room for monitoring and response.

Safety Beyond Cargo

While the project sounds like a technological milestone, at its heart lies a deeply human connection. The thousands of workers who load, unload, and manage cargo at Kandla, along with their families living nearby, are directly vulnerable to any drone attack. For truck drivers transporting oil, laborers working near storage tanks, and engineers managing hazardous materials, safety is no longer an abstract concept—it’s survival. 

By installing the anti-drone system, the government is not only protecting billions worth of trade and strategic supplies but also giving a sense of security to the human lives intertwined with the port’s daily operations. Kandla’s step could soon serve as a blueprint for other Indian ports such as Mumbai, Mundra, Vizag, and Chennai, which handle massive volumes of oil, chemicals, and strategic cargo. As India’s economy grows and maritime trade expands, ports become not just trade hubs but potential targets for asymmetric warfare. Kandla is showing the nation that ports are not only gateways of trade; they are guardians of national resilience.