Drones, which have turned the tide of war in today’s world, have blown everyone’s minds. Drones can destroy tanks, planes, and military bases with precision strikes. Drones can steal intelligence. Drones are a thousand times cheaper than fighter jets, but can cause huge damage. In the Russia-Ukraine war, when Russia’s 64-kilometer-long military contingent advanced towards Kiev, Ukraine’s silent drones detected their tanks and vehicles with infrared cameras and carried out precise attacks. These cameras work even in the dark, because they do not need light, only heat. In the Russia-Ukraine war, infrared cameras mounted on drones captured the heat of the running engines of Russian tanks and carried out precise attacks. They can detect the movement of animals, humans or machines based on heat. Due to these cameras, Russia’s dreams were shattered.
Similarly, drones also played a role in the Azerbaijan-Armenia war. India demolished terrorist bases in Pakistan with ‘Operation Sandhur’ without crossing the border with drones. These precise attacks became an example for the world. But hundreds of drone attacks by Pakistan proved to be a failure before India.
Countries like America, China, Russia, Israel, Turkey are leading the race in drones, but countries like Nigeria, Egypt, Finland are also adopting this technology. Drones are now changing the face of war. They do wonders not only in the air, but also at sea and on land. They are cheap, precise and reduce the risk of human lives. But they are also being used by terrorist groups, which is a matter of concern. Experts believe that in the next few years, the country that will be ahead in drone and anti-drone technology will win the war. Experts believe that by 2030, drones will be the main weapon of war. AI-based autonomous drones will choose their own targets. The use of these drones by terrorist organizations poses a security threat.
According to the New York Times, drones have changed the strategy of war forever.
According to the Guardian UK, “Cheap drones are a new threat to terrorists.”
According to Al Jazeera, Turkey and China are capturing the world market with cheap drones.
The five countries with the largest drones in the world:
The US has state-of-the-art drones like the MQ-9 Reaper, Predator. They can hit up to 1850 km and can stay in the air for 27 hours. America’s drone technology is at the forefront.
China’s CH-4, CH-5 and Wing Lung drones can hit up to 5000 km.
Israel is an expert in precision surgical strikes with drones like the Harup Haron Mark-2. Its range is 1000-3000 km.
Drones like the Turkish Bayraktar TB2 showed great success in the Azerbaijan-Armenia war. It can fly for 27 hours.
Russia’s Drones like Arlen-10, Lankt are Russia’s strength, but they lagged behind in the Ukraine war.
Position of India and Pakistan in drone power
India has 2500-3000 drones, including indigenous (Rustom-2, Nagastar-1) and foreign (Harrop, MQ-9 Reaper). India’s range is 200-3000 km. ‘Operation Sandhur’ proved that India is an expert in precision strikes. India’s position is 6th-8th in the world.
India is also making AI-based GPS-less drones.
Pakistan has 1000-1500 drones, including Shahpar-2, CH-4, Bereket TB-2. But most of its technology is dependent on China and Turkey. Pakistan’s range is 1000-5000 km, but India is ahead in accuracy. Pakistan ranks 10-12th in the world.
Use of drones in current wars in the world
From the Russia-Ukraine war 2022 to now, Ukraine caused heavy damage to the Russian army with the Bayraktar TB2 and Swarm drones.
During the Azerbaijan-Armenia war (2020), Turkey’s Bayraktar TB2 played an important role in Azerbaijan’s victory.
From the Syria war 2011 to now, Russia and the US targeted terrorist locations with drones.
From Iraq and Afghanistan 2001-2021, the US MQ-9 Reaper carried out precision strikes against terrorists. India-Pakistan From 2019 to now, India destroyed terrorist locations in ‘Operation Sandhur’.
How many types of drones?
Micro/Mini: Small, used for surveillance
Kamikaze/Lightning Munitions: Used for suicide attacks (like Nagastra-1).
Surveillance: Used for intelligence gathering (Heron Mark-2).
Combat: Used for attacks (AQ-9 Reaper).
Swarm: Attacks in swarms.
Underwater: Used for naval warfare.
Hybrid: Used for air and land roles.
Countries with the ability to stop drone attacks
*The US has state-of-the-art laser and jamming systems. *Israel has technologies like Iron Dome and Drone Dome.
*China has color radar and AI based anti-drone systems.
*Russia has Karasukha-4 jamming system.
India has the anti-drone technology of DRDO, but it is still under development. India is the world leader in this regard. 5-7th position is above. Dardo is strong with indigenous technology and help from Israel. Pakistan is 10-12th position, its position is weak due to foreign dependence.
