Greater Chennai Police launches drone unit
The police force, which serves the state capital of Tamil Nadu, have established a new Drone Police Unit to provide aerial surveillance support to its officers
The unit has a fleet of nine drones, classified into three categories: six ‘quick response surveillance drones’; one ‘heavy lift multirotor drone’; and two ‘long-range survey’ drones. The drones can be operated at ranges of between five and 10km from the ground station, depending on type.
The initiative will cost approximately ₹36 million ($438,717), and will enable the police force to monitor large public events, identify suspects and missing people, and check vehicle registration data remotely.
Elsewhere in India, the Uttar Pradesh State Police Department placed an order for 84 drones with manufacturer Sagar Defence Engineering in May.
Oliver Cuenca
Oliver Cuenca is a Junior Editor at the Voyageur Group. He was previously a News and Features Journalist for the rail magazine IRJ until 2021, and studied MA Magazine Journalism at Cardiff University. His favourite helicopter is the AW169 – the workhorse of the UK air ambulance sector! He also led the creation of Waypoint: The AirMed&Rescue podcast, serving as its Production Editor and co-host.