Punjab plans 'drone shield' to counter aerial threats across province

LAHORE/RAWALPINDI: Following multiple incidents of drones being intercepted in the garrison city, the Punjab government on Thursday handed over an anti-drone gun to the Punjab Civil Defence Department for intercepting unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in Rawalpindi Division.

First anti-drone gun delivered to Rawalpindi civil defence

The Rawalpindi civil defence department has become the first to receive the anti-drone gun, as the provincial home department moves to equip civil defence units across Punjab with similar systems to counter drones and similar aircraft, which have been described as "emerging security threats."

According to details, the home department has provided the civil defence with a modern anti-drone gun, the EMG-150, which is capable of jamming and bringing down drones within a range of two to three kilometres. The device weighs 6kg and is equipped with eight frequency bands, enabling it to counter all types of drones. It also uses a high-gain directional antenna for effective interception.

Wider deployment planned across Punjab

Beyond Rawalpindi, the home department plans to deploy similar anti-drone systems to civil defence units throughout the province as part of a broader strategy to address what authorities view as growing aerial security challenges. The initiative reflects the provincial government's intent to establish a comprehensive "drone shield" to protect key locations and personnel.

Police have also suggested the deployment of more such systems to protect Chinese nationals and key installations in the province, underscoring the security concerns surrounding UAV activity in sensitive areas.

Response to rising drone interceptions

The decision to roll out anti-drone technology comes in the wake of multiple incidents in which drones were intercepted in Rawalpindi, prompting authorities to take a more proactive approach to aerial security. The provision of the EMG-150 anti-drone gun to the civil defence department marks the first step in what is expected to be a province-wide effort to bolster defences against unmanned aerial threats.

The move signals the Punjab government's recognition of drones as a significant and evolving security concern, with plans to scale up the deployment of counter-drone systems across the province in the coming period.