Measures against Drone Attacks by Terrorists
Ministry of Home AffairsSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns the protection of key installations like Changi Airport and Jurong Island against drone attacks and the adequacy of current law enforcement counter-drone capabilities. Mr Patrick Tay Teck Guan inquired about leveraging emerging technologies to counter drones and whether regulations on radio frequency signal jammers would be reviewed to enhance security measures. Minister for Home Affairs K Shanmugam stated that the Air Navigation Act prohibits unauthorized drone flights near airports and sensitive sites, empowering officers to intercept or control such aircraft. He highlighted that enforcement agencies are building capabilities to detect, identify, and take down drones while current frameworks already allow for the import and use of signal jammers. These measures ensure that security agencies have the necessary legal powers and technological tools to deter illegal drone use and protect critical infrastructure from evolving threats.
Transcript
8 Mr Patrick Tay Teck Guan asked the Minister for Home Affairs (a) whether key installations, such as Changi Airport and oil refineries in Jurong Island, are sufficiently protected against drone attacks by terrorists; and (b) whether the security and law enforcement agencies are equipped with counter-drone capabilities to deter illegal use of drones to cause harm or invade on privacy.
9 Mr Patrick Tay Teck Guan asked the Minister for Home Affairs (a) what are the policies and ground efforts to leverage emerging technologies to counter drones; and (b) whether there will be a review of existing regulations on radio frequency signal jammers to enhance counter-drone measures.
Mr K Shanmugam: Under the Air Navigation Act (ANA), unmanned aircraft are prohibited from flying within five kilometres of any airport, and over security-sensitive locations, without a permit. This covers Changi Airport and Jurong Island. Law enforcement officers can also end the flight or assume control of an unmanned aircraft, if it poses a risk to the public or is flown in a way that contravenes regulations under ANA.
Enforcement agencies have been building up their capability to counter safety and security threats posed by unmanned aircraft. This includes the ability to detect and identify the unmanned aircraft, locate its operator, or take down the aircraft safely.
The Infocomm Media Development Authority’s existing regulatory framework already allows equipment, such as signal jammers, to be imported and used for counter-drone measures carried out by enforcement agencies.