The Rio de Janeiro state government has launched an electronic auction to acquire 80 anti-drone systems. The equipment will be used by the civil and military police, as well as the Secretariat of Penitentiary Administration (SEAP). The estimated investment is nearly R$27 million. The counter-unmanned aircraft systems (C-UAS) are intended to combat organized crime, which has been increasingly using drones for illegal surveillance, transporting drugs, weapons, and cell phones into prisons, intimidating authorities, and even launching explosives and grenades.
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Criminals Already Use Drones
In a preliminary technical study, the state government cited the growing use of drones by criminal groups as one of the main justifications for the acquisition. According to the document, factions in Rio de Janeiro already employ unmanned aircraft to monitor police operations in real time, transport weapons, drugs, and cell phones, and even map the movement of security forces. Authorities also fear these drones could soon be used to launch explosive devices at Public Security Agents (ASP) and their vehicles, further exposing personnel to life-threatening risks.
Recent Case
In July, a drone piloted by criminals from the Red Command (CV) recorded a convoy of heavily armed men passing directly in front of a Military Police vehicle in the Catiri community, in Rio’s West Zone. The footage, later circulated on social media and encrypted apps, not only exposed the real-time monitoring capacity of organized crime but also served as a demonstration of intimidation and territorial dominance. According to police, the case illustrates how factions are increasingly combining firepower with technology. Beyond facilitating operations, these recordings reinforce the perception of impunity and strengthen criminal control in fragile areas where the state’s presence is limited.
G20
The government also referred to the G20 summit as an example of the importance of technology. Despite airspace restrictions, unauthorized drones were detected in secured areas but were neutralized by C-UAS systems. These systems proved crucial for detecting and disrupting the operations of hostile drones, preventing them from approaching sensitive sites and endangering the safety of authorities and participants. Without these systems, such drones could have been used for espionage, transporting dangerous items, or even carrying out coordinated attacks, with potentially severe consequences for the event.
Main Uses
Among the main applications of the new systems are:
- Preventing access to prohibited items: stopping the delivery of weapons, drugs, explosives, and cell phones into prisons.
- Protection: enhancing the security of authorities and the general public during operations and large gatherings.
- Risk Minimization: reducing the possibility of collisions, disruptions, and property damage caused by unauthorized.
Analysis:
The decision by the Rio de Janeiro state government to invest nearly R$27 million in anti-drone systems reflects an urgent response to the growing technological sophistication of organized crime. The use of drones by factions for surveillance, smuggling, and intimidation has already moved beyond experimentation into routine practice, creating new challenges for law enforcement and prison management.
The planned distribution of these systems across the Civil Police, Military Police, and SEAP suggests a strategic attempt to cover both external security operations and internal vulnerabilities within prisons. However, effectiveness will depend on proper training, integration with intelligence units, and continuous monitoring to adapt to criminal countermeasures. For Rio, where territorial disputes and organized crime remain entrenched, this investment represents not just a technological upgrade but a necessary step to reassert state authority in the face of evolving threats.
