Pakistan's 'Sufra' to counter cross-border suicide UAVs from far. Do you know how drone jamming guns work?

Pakistani media claimed the country's military has indigenously developed a drone jamming gun that can counter suicide drones within a 1.5-kilometre range. Named “Sufra”, the jamming guns were developed by the National Electronics Complex of Pakistan (NECOP), and were showcased at the Karachi Maritime Expo on Wednesday, reports said.

Designed particularly to deal with the threat posed by cross-border suicide drone strikes, Sufra has been designed to disrupt the communication systems of the UAV, which can lead to them crashing before reaching targets. It can take on and neutralise multiple kamikaze drones at the same time, Pak media quoted officials as saying. 

In order to ensure Sufra is flexible when it comes to tactical use of the Pak Army, it is ensured that each gun can operate effectively within a 30-degree adjustable angle, the developers reportedly claimed. NECOP is a government-owned research and development (R&D) organisation in Pakistan that focuses on advanced electronics, particularly for defence and strategic applications.

While it was explained how, the reports went on to add that they possess the capability to take out the controls of the drones as well. It was also not elaborated on how directed its discharge is as jamming guns are known to cause collateral damage. If not highly directional, they can affect friendly e, emergency communication channels and radios. Attack drones that modern military use operate with dual-comm channels and reports are doubtful if such guns can neutralise them. 

Islamabad intends to deploy them at the country's border points as well as at iconic public sites in major cities when an event is underway, Geo News said in a report.

How does a drone jamming gun work?

Sometimes called counter-drone rifles or C-UAS (Counter-Unmanned Aircraft System) rifles, they disrupt the communication and navigation signals between an airborne drone and its operator. Simply put, they are directional radio frequency (RF) jammers fit into a rifle-like design for precise aiming. They are usually powered by a large battery pack, while optics or sights are provided to help the operator target the approaching UAVs.

When these guns "open fire" by launching focused radio frequency energy (noise) at a drone, its specific frequencies needed to fly and receive commands are disrupted and overwhelmed, forcing it to land, return-to-home, or lose control. The crashing of a drone requires very high RF and is a rare outcome, some reports said.