Govt to install anti-drone systems at airports to curb illegal drone flights: State Min Millat
The government has decided to install Anti-Drone Systems at airports across the country to prevent unauthorised drone operations, marking a major step to strengthen aviation security amid growing concerns over drone incursions into sensitive airport zones.
State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism M Rashiduzzaman Millat announced the decision while attending the first meeting of the reconstituted National Civil Aviation Security Committee (NCASC) at the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) headquarters on Thursday.
The meeting, chaired by Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Afroza Khanam, reviewed a series of measures to strengthen Bangladesh's aviation security framework in line with international standards.
Millat said the Anti-Drone System would help prevent illegal drone flights around airports, where such activities pose risks to aircraft operations, passenger safety and critical aviation infrastructure.
He also stressed the need for airports to maintain adequate security equipment, including scanners, beyond minimum operational requirements to ensure uninterrupted security operations. He urged all stakeholders to implement the committee's decisions effectively.
The announcement comes as CAAB continues to tighten enforcement against unauthorised drone operations near airports.
Earlier, CAAB Chairman Air Vice Marshal Md Mostafa Mahmood Siddiq said the regulator had adopted a tougher stance against illegal drone flights in sensitive areas, particularly around airports, following repeated incidents of unauthorised drone activity.
He urged drone operators to familiarise themselves with and strictly comply with existing regulations before operating unmanned aircraft near restricted zones.
Industry experts have warned that unauthorised drones pose a serious threat to aviation safety by potentially interfering with aircraft during take-off and landing, disrupting airport operations and creating security vulnerabilities around critical infrastructure.
The NCASC meeting also discussed strengthening intelligence coordination, enhancing airport security technology and ensuring compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) security standards as Bangladesh prepares for an upcoming ICAO security audit.