Taking a leaf out of the IronMan movie franchise, the Singapore Police Force is trialling jetpacks and weaponised drones as part of efforts to strengthen its capabilities in high-risk maritime security operations.

The futuristic equipment is being assessed for use by the force’s maritime units to help officers board suspicious vessels more rapidly and respond to potential threats from a safer distance.

According to details released around the trials, the jet-propelled system would allow officers to fly directly onto targeted ships during interdiction operations, potentially bypassing conventional boarding methods such as ladders or fast boats.

At the same time, armed drones are being evaluated to provide remote engagement capabilities during dangerous encounters at sea, giving officers what authorities describe as a tactical advantage in complex operations.

Singapore authorities have not disclosed operational timelines or technical details surrounding the systems under evaluation.