Brief Context
Context Under its ‘Operation Spider’s Web’, Ukraine launched first-person view (FPV) drone attacks on five airbases across Russia. First-person View Drones FPV or first-person view drones are smaller in size and have cameras built in on the front, which sends live video to the operator. This enables precise flying and manoeuvrability by the operator from a remote location, almost like an aircraft.
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Syllabus: GS3/Defence
Context
- Under its ‘Operation Spider’s Web’, Ukraine launched first-person view (FPV) drone attacks on five airbases across Russia.
First-person View Drones
- FPV or first-person view drones are smaller in size and have cameras built in on the front, which sends live video to the operator.
- This enables precise flying and manoeuvrability by the operator from a remote location, almost like an aircraft.
- These drones used Russian mobile-telephone networks to relay their footage back to Ukraine.
Recent Use of Drones
- In the early years of the 21st century, most drone strikes were carried out by the US military in countries such as Afghanistan, Pakistan, Syria, Somalia, Yemen, and Libya, using air-to-surface missiles against ground targets.
- Drone warfare has since been adopted by countries like Russia, Ukraine, Turkey, Azerbaijan, and Iran, as well as by non-state actors such as the Houthis.
- India, too, has employed drones in recent operations, including the Operation Sindoor and retaliatory strikes against Pakistan.
What is Drone Warfare?
- Drone warfare refers to a mode of warfare employing unmanned or remotely controlled devices.
- Such drones have the capability of staying in the air, on land, at sea level, or underwater.
- The drones may be operated by manual control, and others may utilise auto-pilot systems on their missions.
- Remotely Piloted Aircraft System: It refers to a set of components that include the drone, its ground-based control system.
- The US, UK, Israel, China, India, Russia, and Turkey, have produced combat drones, or UCAVs (Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicles).
- These are employed in targeted attacks, frequently in locations difficult to access by conventional forces.
- AI: The second stage of drone application is artificial intelligence. AI drones can navigate on their own, detect targets, and even operate in “swarm” groups.
Evolution of UAVs
- In the 1960s, British Commonwealth artillery regiments started developing drones for target identification and extending their range.
- The past two decades saw the US set the trend world-wide with using drones for its counterterrorism action in Iraq, Syria, Afghanistan, and Yemen with precision attacks minimising personnel risks.
- It was the Ukraine war that saw a turning point.
- Russian and Ukrainian forces both used small drones on a massive scale for real-time intelligence and direct attacks.
- By 2023, small drones had evolved to accommodate multiple payloads – from infrared detectors to electronic warfare equipment.
Significance of Use of Drones in Warfare
- Targeted Strikes: Drones allow militaries to carry out highly targeted attacks, minimizing collateral damage.
- Lower Risk to Personnel: Since drones are unmanned, they eliminate the risk to pilots and reduce the need for boots on the ground.
- Cost-Effectiveness: Drones are cheaper to manufacture, operate, and maintain compared to manned aircraft.
- Real-Time Surveillance and Intelligence: Drones provide continuous, real-time imagery and intelligence gathering, essential for both offensive and defensive operations.
- Strategic Advantage in Asymmetric Warfare: Drones are especially useful against non-state actors and terrorist groups, who may not be reachable by conventional military means.
Way Ahead
- The fact that Ukraine was able to destroy such a large number of Russia’s aircraft deep inside Russia territory demonstrates the effectiveness of such deep-strike programmes and taking the possibilities of drone warfare to another level.
- As technology advances, drones will increasingly be utilised for military and civilian missions.
- Rise of autonomous and AI-driven systems could further revolutionize military doctrine.
Source: IE