Tamil Nadu Police has invited bids for six detector-equipped anti-drone gun systems under a tender estimated at ₹1.52 crore, adding to the state’s efforts to protect sensitive locations and public events from unauthorised unmanned aircraft.
The tender was issued on 14 October by the Intelligence Wing’s Security Branch of the Crime Investigation Department (CID), according to the Tamil Nadu government e-procurement portal and The Times of India. This is a tender, not confirmation that a supplier has been selected or that the equipment has been delivered.
What the tender covers
The procurement is for six combined gun-and-detector systems intended for security duties, including deployments during visits by senior constitutional authorities and other VIPs. The estimated value is approximately ₹1.52 crore for the set.
Specifications reported by The Times of India describe a detector range of up to 3 kilometres and a stated jamming range of up to 1 kilometre. The report also says the systems are expected to identify multiple drones simultaneously. These figures describe the stated requirements; they should not be read as independently verified operational performance.
Why counter-drone equipment is being procured
The tender follows a reported incident in which an unidentified drone was found on Coimbatore airport premises during a visit by the state’s chief minister. The newspaper also reported that Tamil Nadu had floated a separate tender for portable drone jammers in November 2025, but that procurement was later dropped.
Portable counter-drone equipment is being considered by several Indian states for security around VIP movements and public events. Tamil Nadu’s tender highlights the practical distinction between detecting an unauthorised aircraft, assessing the threat and responding safely. A detector-equipped system combines drone detection with a means of countering a potential threat, but actual outcomes depend on the aircraft, environment and system configuration.
What happens next?
The tender portal lists a bid submission deadline of 3 November 2026. The process will determine whether bids are received, which supplier is selected and what final contract value is agreed. Until an award and delivery are confirmed, the six systems should be described as planned procurement rather than equipment already in service.
Counter-drone measures also need clear operating procedures, trained personnel and coordination with relevant aviation and security authorities. Disrupting a drone does not guarantee that it will land safely, so the response plan matters as much as the equipment itself.
Sources
Tamil Nadu Government eProcurement portal, The Times of India, DroneUnzip: CCPA Fines Xboom ₹10 Lakh Over Anti-Drone Jammer Listings
