Short answer: Counter-UAS (C-UAS) systems protect a site from unwanted drones in two stages: detection, which finds and identifies a drone using RF sensors, radar, cameras or acoustics, and mitigation, which stops it by jamming, spoofing or physical interception. In India, private organisations can deploy detection, but jamming and other active mitigation are restricted to authorised government agencies. HobiTech does not sell C-UAS equipment; this guide explains how the technology works and what is allowed.
Last updated: 19 October 2026.
Key takeaways
- A C-UAS system has two layers: detect, track and identify; then mitigate.
- No single sensor catches every drone. Practical systems combine RF, radar, electro-optical/infrared and sometimes acoustic sensors.
- India's Department of Telecommunications says private organisations and individuals cannot procure or use jammers; only states, union territories, defence forces and central police organisations may (DoT memorandum, 1 July 2022).
- DRDO's counter-drone technology offers detection, soft kill (jamming) and laser-based hard kill, and was transferred to BEL (PIB, 28 July 2021).
- DJI stopped selling its AeroScope drone-detection product in 2023, so it is no longer an option for new projects.
- No C-UAS system can promise to stop every drone; treat any "100%" claim with suspicion.
Why counter-drone systems matter in India
Drones are now affordable, capable and easy to fly. That is good news for agriculture, mapping and inspection, but it also means airports, prisons, power plants, refineries, borders and large public events have to plan for drones that should not be there. Some are flown carelessly by hobbyists; a small number are flown with intent.
India has responded with indigenous counter-drone programmes. At the same time, the growth of legitimate operations, from drone deliveries to inspection fleets, means security teams need to separate cooperative, authorised drones from unknown ones rather than treating every drone as a threat.
Stage 1: detection, tracking and identification
Detection answers three questions: is there a drone, where is it going, and who is flying it? Each sensor type has strengths and blind spots.
| Sensor | How it works | Strengths | Limitations |
|---|---|---|---|
| RF detection | Listens for the radio links between drone and controller | Passive; can identify drone type and sometimes locate the pilot | Misses drones flying pre-programmed routes with no radio link |
| Radar | Bounces radio waves off objects to track them | Detects drones regardless of radio use; tracks several targets | Small drones are hard to see; birds cause false alarms; needs licensing |
| Electro-optical / infrared | Day and thermal cameras, often cued by radar or RF | Visual confirmation and classification, including payloads | Shorter range; affected by weather and line of sight |
| Acoustic | Microphone arrays match propeller noise signatures | Works without line of sight in quiet areas | Short range; struggles in noisy urban environments |
| Drone ID / Remote ID receivers | Read identification signals broadcast by compliant drones | Low cost; shows identity and position of cooperative drones | Only sees drones that broadcast; a hostile drone may not |
The most reliable installations layer two or more sensors: radar or RF to detect, cameras to confirm. A well-designed system also gives operators a clear picture of each track so they can decide on a response.
What happened to DJI AeroScope?
AeroScope was DJI's receiver that decoded identification data from DJI drones. DJI removed it from sale in early 2023. Detection now relies on independent C-UAS vendors and on broadcast identification standards in markets that mandate them.
Stage 2: mitigation
Mitigation means taking action against a drone once it is confirmed as a threat. The main approaches are:
- RF jamming: drowns out the control and video links, usually triggering the drone's failsafe to hover, land or return home. This is the "soft kill" option.
- GNSS jamming or spoofing: denies or falsifies satellite positioning to push the drone off course. It can affect other receivers nearby, including aviation and phones.
- Protocol takeover: some systems exploit a drone's control protocol to land it in a chosen spot. It works only on supported models.
- Kinetic or directed-energy "hard kill": nets, interceptor drones or lasers that physically disable the drone. Falling debris is a real risk over people.
Every mitigation method carries collateral risk, which is why governments tightly control who can use them.
The rules in India
Jamming is the clearest case. On 1 July 2022 the Department of Telecommunications issued an advisory stating that only state governments, union territories, defence forces and central police organisations may procure and use government-approved jammers, and that private organisations and individuals cannot procure or use jammers in India. Selling or advertising jammers outside the government's guidelines is also unlawful. Read the DoT advisory.
India has also built its own capability. According to the Ministry of Defence, DRDO developed counter-drone technology capable of detection, soft kill by jamming communication links, and laser-based hard kill, and transferred it to Bharat Electronics Limited (PIB, 28 July 2021).
For private site owners, the practical takeaway is simple: detection and situational awareness are where you can act, while active response should be coordinated with local police or the relevant authority. Legitimate drone operators, meanwhile, reduce their chances of being mistaken for a threat by following the DGCA drone rules: registering on Digital Sky, checking airspace zones and flying with the right permissions.
How to plan a counter-drone approach
- Assess the threat. What could a drone do at your site: film, carry contraband, disrupt operations?
- Map the site. Boundaries, approach paths, nearby airports and buildings that block sensors.
- Choose layered detection. Match sensors to the environment; acoustic will not suit a busy plant, radar may struggle among tall structures.
- Write a response plan. Who is alerted, who contacts authorities, how the area is secured.
- Review regularly. Drone technology changes fast; so should your system and procedures.
Where HobiTech fits
HobiTech is an authorised DJI dealer and does not sell or install C-UAS systems. What we supply are tools that support security teams. Thermal drones such as the DJI Matrice 4T are used for perimeter patrol, search and incident response, and are quoted per configuration. See our thermal drones range and our article on drones in India's surveillance and security landscape.
If you need guidance on drone detection for a site, contact us via our contact page, call +91 70225 26509 or email support@hobitech.in. The team replies shortly during working hours, 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM, every day.
Further reading
- The future of drone deliveries: what to expect
- The role of drones in India's surveillance and security landscape
- Thermal imaging drones: DJI Matrice 4T
- DGCA drone rules in India (2026)
Sources: jammer rules are per the Department of Telecommunications advisory of 1 July 2022 (dot.gov.in); DRDO counter-drone capabilities are per the Ministry of Defence release on PIB (pib.gov.in, 28 July 2021); AeroScope status is per DJI's product-page notice reported in March 2023.
Frequently asked questions
Can a private company use a drone jammer in India?
No. The Department of Telecommunications says private organisations and individuals cannot procure or use jammers in India. Only states, union territories, defence forces and central police organisations may use government-approved jammers.
Is drone detection legal for private sites?
Passive detection does not transmit, so it avoids the jammer restrictions, but some sensors such as radar transmit and may need licensing. Check with the vendor and relevant authorities, and coordinate any response with local police.
Can any system stop 100% of drones?
No. Every sensor has blind spots and every mitigation method has limits. Layered systems reduce risk; they do not eliminate it.
Is DJI AeroScope still available?
No. DJI removed AeroScope from sale in early 2023.
Does HobiTech sell counter-drone systems?
No. HobiTech supplies drones, including thermal models used for patrol and inspection, and can offer guidance on detection needs. Contact us to discuss your site.
