Idex 2021: The drone destroyer that can be slung over the shoulder

The Chimera can detect errant drones within a one kilometre radius and jam their signal

Charles Dufour of Cebair, with the Chimera, an anti-drone system. Victor Besa / The National 

Idex 2021, the first major in-person exhibition held in Abu Dhabi since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, opened its doors on Sunday morning. Victor Besa / The National

Abdulelah Al Mohaimeed, of Wahaj of Saudi Arabia, shows his company's 50-calibre heavy machine gun, at Idex 2021 in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National

Saeed Al Mansoori examines a Glock 9mm pistol at at Idex 2021. The event features up to 1,000 defence companies. Victor Besa / The National

A model of the NHIndustries NH90 multi-role military helicopter on display at Idex 2021. Victor Besa / The National

Visitors view a Desert Sting-16 missile, built by UAE defence conglomerate EDGE, at Idex 2021. About 15 per cent of the 1,000 companies represented at event are Emirati. Victor Besa / The National

Idex 2021 is the first major in-person exhibition in Abu Dhabi since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic. International attendees do not need to quarantine, but must undertake regular PCR tests. Victor Besa / The National

Strict anti-coronavirus measures are in place at Idex 2021, including reminders for visitors to adhere to social distancing. Victor Besa / The National

A robot mops the floor as visitors explore the 35,000 square metres of exhibition space at Idex 2021. Victor Besa / The National

Omar Al Matrooshi and Rashed Al Raess hold 9mm pistols made by Austrian manufacturer Glock. About 800 international companies are attending Idex 2021. Victor Besa / The National

Omar Al Matrooshi and Rashed Al Raess examine Glock 9mm pistols at Idex 2021. There are 12 exhibition halls at the event. Victor Besa / The National

Visitors examine sniper rifles made by UAE arms manufacturer Caracal, at Idex 2021. Victor Besa / The National

A close-up view of a 100-kilogram laser/satellite guided bomb at Idex 2021. Victor Besa / The National

Organisers expect 70,000 visitors to attend Idex 2021. Victor Besa / The National

Visitors adhere to strict social distancing at Adex 2021, the first major in-person exhibition in Abu Dhabi since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic. Victor Besa / The National.

A visitor arrives at Idex 2021. Victor Besa / The National.

Visitors attending Idex 2021 in Abu Dhabi. The biennial event was first held in 1993. Victor Besa / The National

Strict social distancing measures are being implemented at Idex 2021. Victor Besa / The National

Exhibitors at Idex 2021 range from the manufacturers of armoured vehicles to cybersecurity companies. Victor Besa / The National

The total value of deals the UAE is expected to sign this year is likely to be similar to the levels of 2019, organisers have said. Rashed Al Mansoori / Ministry of Presidential Affairs

Sheikh Hamed bin Zayed, Member of Abu Dhabi Executive Council. The UAE Armed Forces awarded Dh5.03 billion in contracts on the first day of Idex, with the lion’s share of the deals going to local companies. Rashed Al Mansoori / Ministry of Presidential Affairs

Sheikh Hamed bin Zayed, Member of Abu Dhabi Executive Council. Participants at this year's Idex are focusing on cyber security, autonomous weapons, and using advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence in defence applications and safe-guarding supply chains during the global health crisis. Rashed Al Mansoori / Ministry of Presidential Affairs

In 2018 one of the UK’s busiest airports was forced to cancel about a 1,000 flights because of drone sightings. The mystery at Gatwick was never solved but the event underlined the huge threats posed by small drones.

Civilian drones are easy to buy, use and fly in urban and remote areas. Anti-air systems are expensive and suited to larger militaries and different threats.

Enter the Chimera. This French-made piece of mobile kit is designed to detect errant drones within a one kilometre radius and jam their signal.

It can be worn simply across the shoulder allowing the wearer to continue other tasks in the field while it scans the skies. The anti-drone technology by Cerbair was on display on the opening day of Idex on Sunday with a price tag of 100,000 euro.

“These types of threats can come from anywhere and not from regular troops,” said the company’s sales manager, Yann Berger.

“Drones are more a guerrilla tool using home-made technology. But Chimera is easy to set up and  can protect us in a better way.”

Chimera scans the skies using an antennae for any radio frequencies that could suggest a drone was sending back data to its base. When one is detected, the operator gets an audio and visual alert on the system.

The hostile drone can then be neutralised by jamming its signal to the operator and forcing it to the ground.

“It cuts the communication between drone and pilot so the drone does not reach its target,” he said.

The system is effective in combatting 95 per cent of the threat from commercial drones, which Nato terms "class 1" or micro drones.

“These types of drones can become a real threat and do a lot of harm. So our technology can confront both domestic and military threats. If police have to make an area safe for VIPs somebody could fly a drone through the area … so it will detect this no matter what.”

France uses the technology to protect VIPs but Mr Berger refused to be drawn on other countries that use Chimera beyond saying they have "partners in Asia". At Idex, he is confident of sales but also said the defence exhibition is important to showcase the technology and illustrate what’s possible with a relatively small piece of kit.

“This threat is increasing, very much,” said Mr Berger, who used to be an officer in the French military.

“I served in Iraq and through the years we have seen that threat increasing very much because it is a cheap way of bringing terror without a lot of knowledge or money.

"Anything man made and used in malignant way is a threat – that is very much on the rise.”