#Drones find use in several walks of life. #UnmannedAerialSystems (#UAS) can deliver pizzas, medicines, packages, gifts etc. They can also deliver #explosives, #bombs and other #dangerous#payloads including those intended to interfere with operation-critical legitimate systems.

#WeaponisedDrones have been extensively used in the #UkraineRussia conflict since 2022 as well as more recently in the #IsraelHamas conflict. #Merchant ships in the #RedSea and #ArabianSea have been attacked by #armeddrones.

#ArmedDrones can cause disproportionate #impact to the #maritime industry including #ports, #ships in channels, #criticalinfrastructure in coastal areas, #shipping routes, #maritime chokepoints etc. ranging from #deterrence to #damage and #destruction. #Drone attacks are unconventional with a high degree of #deniability. Control of #drones from a #vessel following commonly used #maritime#shippingroutes cannot be discounted.

While #regulation, #policy, #compliance requirements such as #geofencing and #nofly zones for #drones may be effective and enforceable on land, there are currently limited options for the #merchant marine due to the absence of a clear policy.

The viability of #counterdrone systems onboard #maritime shipping is being increasingly discussed. However, there are complications. For example, even if a drone is detected, #selfdefensemeasures such as #electronic countermeasures, and #widebandjamming could adversely impact ships’ systems – own as well as those in the vicinity.

There seem to be no clear answers as yet to the #dronethreat to #ships at #sea, but concerns are increasing.

#Shipping companies and #shipowners need to #assess their #vulnerability to the #dronethreat in order to #safeguard their high-value #assets, #cargo, and #crews.

MIGS Global Consulting Pvt Ltd. can help protect companies having critical facilities on land and at sea with #systematic assessment of #drone threat, conceptualise a curated #riskmitigation#framework, and manage their #counterdrone implementation projects.

Image Source: Marine Link

Samrendra Mohan KumarPawan DesaiSushil PradhanSANDEEP SINHARanjeet SinhaKunal SolankiManoj SinghAparna Guddad