The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) conducted a multi-agency mock exercise on aerial threats and drone sightings at Porbandar Airport on 27 September 2026, in coordination with the Indian Navy, as security agencies intensified preparedness against potential threats from unmanned aerial systems. The exercise marks a broader push by Indian aviation security forces to address the fast-evolving challenge of drone-based threats at civil airports.

What the Drill Covered

The exercise was designed to strengthen inter-agency coordination, sharpen communication channels, and improve the readiness of security personnel to detect and respond to aerial intrusions. According to the CISF, the drill tested protocols for identifying, assessing, and countering potential drone-related security scenarios in real time.

Following the exercise, a dedicated drone-awareness session was conducted by a team from the Indian Navy for CISF personnel deployed at Porbandar Airport. The session was led by Lieutenant Commander Suraj and covered the spectrum of drone types currently in use, emerging threats linked to their proliferation, and the technologies available for detection and neutralisation.

Anti-Drone Technologies Explained

According to the CISF, the awareness briefing included a detailed overview of anti-drone systems and their operational capabilities. Technologies discussed included radar-based detection, radio-frequency (RF) detection, and jamming systems — tools increasingly deployed at sensitive installations across the country. The session aimed to ensure that frontline personnel understand both the threat landscape and the countermeasures available to them.

Delhi Airport Drill Also Held

The Porbandar exercise followed a joint counter-terrorist mock drill conducted at Delhi Airport on the preceding Saturday. That exercise was aimed at validating real-time crisis response mechanisms and strengthening coordination among multiple stakeholder agencies.

As stated by the CISF, the Delhi drill involved personnel from the CISF alongside Delhi Police, the National Security Guard (NSG), BDDS, CIW, DIAL, RAXA, DP ATS, Medanta, DFS, CATS, the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), ARFF, and other concerned agencies. The CISF noted that the exercise 'reaffirmed the commitment towards robust aviation security, seamless inter-agency synergy and enhanced emergency response capabilities.'

The Broader Security Context

These drills come amid continued emphasis by Indian security establishments on hardening civil aviation infrastructure against a range of threats, including drone-based surveillance, smuggling, and potential attacks. Notably, airports in coastal regions like Porbandar — located in Gujarat near strategically sensitive maritime zones — face a distinct threat profile that warrants dedicated inter-agency coordination with naval assets.

The frequency of such exercises has increased in recent months, reflecting a wider government push to align civil aviation security with the rapidly evolving capabilities of commercial and modified unmanned aerial systems. With drone technology becoming more accessible, security planners are treating the aerial threat vector as a standing risk rather than an edge case.