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Use of Drones in Warfare

Syllabus: Internal Security

Source: HT

Context: Manipur Chief Minister condemned recent drone bombings on civilians, calling them acts of terrorism. His comments followed a second day of grenade-laden drone attacks that injured three people in Imphal West.

 

What is a UAV?

 

A drone or UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) is a remotely controlled flying device that is gradually being adopted in warfare for logistics, surveillance-reconnaissance, and combat roles.

 

Drone warfare is becoming asymmetric as the capability of launchers is usually of insurgent/terrorist scale. However, the Russia-Ukraine war also shows some asymmetric nature with drone warfare by a state actor like Ukraine.

 

Drone use by state actors:

  1. The USA and Israel are at the forefront of drone development with Predator and Heron models.
  2. The use of Turkish-made Bayraktar drones by Ukraine against the Russian invasion has turned the tide of war.
  3. Russia’s use of Orion drones in Syria in 2019 for striking strategic targets.

 

Drone use by non-state actors:

  1. Houthi rebels used drones from Iran to attack Saudi oil facilities.
  2. Islamist terror outfits like ISIS and Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) have used drones for surveillance and attack.
  3. Even organised narco-traders like the CJNG cartel of Mexico have used drones for bombing targets.

 

Advantages of Drone Warfare for actors:

Security challenges to India:

  1. Recently, drones were used for the first time to drop explosives at the Jammu airbase.
  2. Multiple incidents of cross-border drone threats from Pakistan-sponsored terror groups to drop bombs and deliver arms, ammunition, and equipment.
  3. Internal insurgents too are acquiring DIY (Do-it-yourself) drone kits to increase such capabilities.
  4. Drone Terrorism: Drones are increasingly used by terrorist groups due to their affordability, manoeuvrability, and payload capacity.
  5. Surveillance and Intelligence Gathering: Drones monitor military sites, borders, and sensitive government facilities.
  6. Critical Infrastructure Disruption: They can execute cyber-attacks, jamming, or physical attacks on infrastructure.
  7. Cross-Border Smuggling: Drones smuggle contraband, drugs, and weapons, particularly from Pakistan.
  8. Privacy Concerns: Drones with cameras threaten individual privacy and the security of sensitive facilities, like nuclear plants.

 

Steps taken:

  1. Drone Rules 2021 to regulate the internal movement of drones while incentivizing the indigenous drone manufacturing industry.
  2. Indian Army Aviation Corp is being made responsible for offensives and drone counter-measures.
  3. Indigenous anti-drone systems are being developed like Indrajaal by Hyderabad-based Grene Robotics.
  4. Drone development by the DRDO including Nishant, Rustom, MALE, et al and acquisition of foreign-made variants like the Heron.
  5. Drone Import Policy 2022: Bans foreign drone imports, but allows drone component imports.
  6. PLI Scheme: Incentivizes domestic drone and component manufacturing.

 

Mitigating Drone-Related Threats:

  1. Counter-Drone Technology: Neutralizes unauthorized drones.
  2. Capacity Building: Improves drone detection and response by security forces.
  3. Public-Private Partnerships: Supports indigenous drone technology development.

 

Conclusion:

Drone warfare is causing a revolution in the nature of warfare in the 21st century, providing asymmetric warfare capabilities to the smallest of state and non-state actors. India must keep pace with the world for its security.