BSF Develops Drone System That Can Drop Tear Gas Shells To Control Rioters. Watch Video

The 'drone tear smoke launcher' will be a potential force multiplier for the security forces working in the law-and-order management domain, BSF said.

To control protesters and rioters, the BSF has developed a drone system that can be used by police to drop tear gas shells, PTI reported. The 'drone tear smoke launcher' will be a "potential force multiplier for the security forces working in the law-and-order management domain", a BSF official said.

The 'drone tear smoke launcher' was recently tested at the tear smoke unit (TSU) in Tekanpur, Madhya Pradesh. The new drone system was discussed at the annual governing body meeting of the special unit held in Delhi that was chaired by BSF Director General (DG) Pankaj Kumar Singh, a BSF spokesperson said.

A video clip shared by the BSF shows six tear smoke shells placed tightly in a metal cage fixed under a hexacopter drone. The drone system then drops the tear shells from the air at designated spots.

Tear gas, which contains the chemical compound 2-chlorobenzalmalononitrile, causes eye irritation and a burning sensation in the throat and the nose. It is commonly used by police forces across the country to disperse protesting crowds. It is a non-lethal form of dispersing protesters. 

The tear smoke unit or TSU was established under the BSF in 1976 and it develops and manufactures anti-riot tear smoke munitions for supply to both central and state police forces, PTI reported.

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The TSU also produces a variety of other lachrymatory munitions, flash-bang shells, impact munitions and customised products for special operations, the BSF spokesperson said. 

Praising the TSU for bringing out several non-lethal munitions, the BSF DG, during the meeting, said, "Indigenous production of these items has reduced the country's dependence on foreign munitions".

Last month, Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) said it was working on an AI-driven multi-role, advanced and long-endurance drone for strategic missions in high-altitude areas, including along the frontiers with China.

The rotary-wing drone will have the capability to carry a load of 40 kgs, including missiles and sensors.