From sniper rifles to AI forensics: International Police Expo showcases future of security

New Delhi: From radars capable of detecting human presence beneath rubble and bike ambulances designed to navigate congested streets to AI-powered cybersecurity and forensic tools, the International Police Expo 2026 showcased technologies aimed at tackling both emergencies like building collapses and landslides as well as evolving security threats such as bomb blasts and riots.Among the exhibits drawing the crowds were India’s first indigenous sniper rifle, a close-quarter battle carbine, a 9x19 mm machine pistol and a joint-venture protective carbine. Also on display were advanced radar systems designed to detect human activity behind concrete structures and under debris.Army engineer Venkatesh, 32, explained that different radar systems serve different operational needs. “Some are designed to penetrate deeper and can help agencies like NDRF locate people trapped under rubble after disasters. Others are lighter and more mobile, making them useful for detecting militants hiding in conflict zones,” he said.The focus of the two-day event extended beyond border security and counterterrorism to practical solutions for police forces, forensic experts and disaster-response teams. Police vans equipped with first-aid facilities, emergency lighting and protective equipment were displayed alongside specialised motorcycles designed for rapid response. One of the most talked-about exhibits was a bike ambulance fitted with an in-built stretcher and developed to transport injured people through narrow and heavily congested lanes where larger ambulances struggle to reach.

For many visitors, the emphasis on indigenous innovation stood out as much as the technology itself. Jyoti Rani (26), a cyber vigilance professional from Ludhiana, said the growing focus on ‘Make in India’ was one of the highlights of the event. “I found it particularly exciting that technologies I had earlier seen abroad are now being developed in India as well,” she said.For Akash Raj S, an 18-year-old IIT Delhi intern attending the event with a focus on drone technology, the expo offered a broader perspective.

“We came here for the drones since that is what our internship is based on. Being here has helped us understand that there is so much more room for development in every sector,” he said.The adjoining Drone International Expo and Homeland Security Expo highlighted the expanding role of unmanned systems in surveillance, reconnaissance and disaster response. Exhibits ranged from high-altitude unmanned aerial vehicles and advanced surveillance drones to India’s first coherence-based acoustic drone detector and the country’s first AI-powered anti-drone patrol vehicle, reflecting advances in both drone technology and counter-drone systems.Artificial intelligence emerged as a recurring theme across sectors. Officials from forensic science laboratories pointed to AI applications in voice analysis, video tampering detection and other processes that are currently labour-intensive. “We will assess the products and decide which ones to pitch to our seniors based on effectiveness,” an FSL official said.Cybersecurity displays featured deepfake detection platforms, analytics systems, real-time surveillance solutions and AI-driven security tools. While some visitors noted that several products remain in the development stage, many also acknowledged the rapid growth of indigenous capabilities and their potential for real-world deployment in the years ahead.