Drones to the fore: Challenge for India to stay ahead
INDIA’s Operation Sindoor sent a strong message to Pakistan in retaliation to the Pahalgam terror attack. It was undoubtedly a stunning display of aerial superiority, but there is no room for complacency. Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Gen Anil Chauhan has hit the nail on the head: today’s warfare has to be fought with tomorrow’s technology, not with yesterday’s weapon systems. It’s all about remaining ahead of the curve — any nation that fails to do so will imperil its security. The CDS has rightly observed that UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles) have emerged as a “transformative force” in the rapidly evolving landscape of non-contact warfare.
What makes drones so lethal is their ability to quickly spot and hit targets such as key defence installations. India was able to neutralise most of the drones used by the Pakistani armed forces during the recent conflict mainly because of its robust air defence system. However, it is inevitable that Pakistan’s close allies will supply it with superior UAVs to keep the pot boiling. This threat makes it imperative for India to scale up indigenous development of UAVs and Counter-Unmanned Aerial Systems that are tailor-made for Indian conditions and needs.
India can draw lessons from the drone-intensive conflict in eastern Europe, where Ukraine has made the most of UAVs to undermine Russia’s advantage in terms of troop strength, artillery and tanks. This strategy has forced Russia to sharpen its focus on UAV technology. It is estimated that both nations are churning out drones at the staggering rate of millions per year. Ukraine’s rise as a powerhouse of drone production should inspire India to become self-reliant in a field where cutting-edge innovation is the name of the game. No matter what purpose they are used for — strike operations, surveillance, decoys — these flying machines are here to stay. And the challenge for India is to ensure that its drones and counter-drone systems are better than those of the enemy.
Editorials