Singapore's bustling maritime landscape, one of the world's busiest ports, faces evolving threats from piracy, terrorism, and smuggling. To counter these, the Singapore Police Force (SPF), particularly the Police Coast Guard (PCG), has unveiled plans to trial advanced jetpacks and weaponised drones. Announced during a showcase at the PCG's Brani Regional Base on May 14, 2026, these technologies promise to revolutionize high-risk operations, offering officers unprecedented speed, surprise, and safety.
Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs K. Shanmugam highlighted the urgency, noting that threat actors worldwide are adopting sophisticated tools. "This technology can protect our officers," he emphasized, describing it as a "quantum upgrade" from traditional policing methods. The trials, set to commence in the coming months, target special operations by the PCG's Special Task Squadron and the Special Operations Command's (SOC) Special Tactics and Rescue unit.
Jetpacks: From Sci-Fi to Tactical Reality
At the heart of the trial are jet-propelled manpacks, developed by UK-based Gravity Industries. Weighing approximately 35 kilograms, these suits enable officers to achieve speeds of up to 137 kilometers per hour with a flight duration of about three minutes—sufficient for critical maritime maneuvers. A demonstration at Brani Base saw a PCG officer soaring briefly, showcasing the potential for rapid deployment.
In a typical scenario, an officer launches from a police vessel, flies directly onto a suspicious ship, lands, and provides suppressive fire. This covers assault teams approaching via ladders or boats, minimizing exposure to enemy fire. The manpacks address key challenges in Singapore's territorial waters, where vessels can be distant and conditions unpredictable. Several officers have already undergone training, ensuring operational readiness.
Weaponised Drones: Precision and Remote Engagement
Complementing the jetpacks are Weaponised Unmanned Systems (WUS), commonly known as armed drones. These autonomous or remotely piloted devices can neutralize threats from afar, delivering targeted strikes while officers maintain distance. Controlled by trained personnel on the ground, the drones feature strict rules of engagement to ensure proportionality.
During trials, a human operator will decide targets and firing sequences, underscoring SPF's commitment to accountability. In maritime contexts, WUS can clear deck obstacles, engage armed suspects, or breach fortified positions on hijacked ships. Beyond water, they support urban ops, like storming buildings with booby traps, entering barricades safely.
Why Now? Singapore's Maritime Security Imperative
As a global trade hub handling over 37 million TEUs annually, Singapore's port is a prime target. Recent incidents, including regional piracy spikes and terrorism alerts, necessitate advanced countermeasures. The PCG, responsible for patrolling 500 square kilometers of territorial waters, already employs tools like the Diodon waterproof drone for surveillance and the Spyder hull-climbing robot for covert boarding—technologies unveiled in early 2025.
These new trials build on that foundation. By integrating jetpacks and WUS, PCG aims for "higher sensemaking, speed, surprise, and response capabilities," as per SPF statements. This layered approach reduces officer risk in scenarios where traditional boats or helicopters fall short due to speed or vulnerability.
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Operational Scenarios: Step-by-Step Impact
- Suspicious Vessel Boarding: Drone scouts ahead, identifies threats; jetpack officer flies in for cover; assault team boards under protection.
- Hostage Rescue at Sea: WUS neutralizes perimeter guards; jetpack provides overwatch; entry teams extract hostages.
- Urban High-Risk Entry: Drone breaches doors, clears rooms; follows with human follow-up.
Each step enhances mission success rates, with simulations showing up to 50% risk reduction based on prior HTX (Home Team Science and Technology Agency) evaluations.
Training Regimens and Human Factors
SPF's proactive training includes simulator sessions for jetpack flight dynamics and drone piloting under stress. Physical conditioning for PCG's elite STS ensures operators handle the 35kg suits in rough seas. Integration with existing drone fleets—five types from 350g nano-units to 7kg tactical models—familiarizes teams.
Safety protocols mandate redundant systems, fail-safes, and post-trial debriefs. SAC Leon Chan, SPF Director of Operations, affirmed: "Officer and public safety remains foremost."
Governance, Ethics, and Safeguards
Deployment adheres to strict legal frameworks, mirroring international standards like those from the UN on lethal autonomous weapons. Clear rules of engagement (ROE) require human oversight—no full autonomy in lethal decisions. Proportionality assessments precede use, with audits by HTX and legal experts.
Ethical debates, common globally, focus on escalation risks, but Shanmugam counters: "We carefully study situations where we can use this." Public transparency via demos builds trust. For more on governance, see the Straits Times coverage.
Singapore's Tech Policing Legacy
SPF leads regionally: counter-drone systems operational since 2023 neutralize rogue UAVs at events; robots assist in vice ops and searches. MPA trials complement with delivery and surveillance drones. This ecosystem positions Singapore ahead in smart nation policing.
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Global Perspectives and Comparisons
Israel's IDF pioneered armed drones; US SWAT trials jetpacks experimentally. Singapore's maritime focus is unique, adapting Gravity tech for sea ops. Experts praise the balanced approach, avoiding over-reliance. A CNA analysis notes potential for exportable models via HTX.
Future Outlook: Scaling and Innovation
Trials will evaluate endurance, integration with AI sensemaking, and cost-effectiveness. Success could expand to routine patrols, with hybrid human-drone teams. By 2028, full deployment might feature next-gen batteries for longer flights. This aligns with Singapore's Forward Singapore blueprint for resilient security.
Stakeholders anticipate reduced casualties, faster resolutions, and deterrence against threats. As Shanmugam put it, these tools ensure officers return home safely.