THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The state police is purchasing three more unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) to meet security and surveillance requirements.
According to sources, the tendering process for purchase of the UAVs at a cost of '45 lakhs has already been initiated. The state police uses the two UAVs which are in its possession for security surveillance at major events such as Sabarimala pilgrimage.
The decision is to purchases UAVs equipped with day and night mode cameras and could move around at a speed of 25 kilometres per hour. Capability to detect human size targets at 600 metre, integration with geo maps, compatibility with applications like Google Maps, a range of operation up to four kilometre, cameras with 360 degree pan, 90 degree tilt and zoom options are among the specifications prescribed by the police for the UAVs.
Police sources said that UAVs are bring widely used for a range of security-related purposes in foreign countries. Surveillance, crowd management, traffic management and even for assisting in combat operations.
The Centre had imposed restrictions on the use of UAVs for private purposes owing to the security reasons. Recently, the use of UAVs near Thiruvananthapuram airport was also strictly banned by the district administration.
