Drones, Swarm Of Drones and Counter Drones

Six years after India expressed interest in the Predator Drone, the United States approved the sale of 31 Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) to India at an estimated cost of USD 3.9 billion, as widely reported by leading national dailies. Among these, 15 Sea Guardian Drones, the naval variant of the Predator, are for the Indian Navy, while the Air Force and Army each will receive eight Sky Guardian Drones. The deal includes 170 Hellfire missiles besides other associated training equipment.

These UAVs, designed by General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, are capable of carrying 1,700 kg of payload, including four missiles and 450 kg of bombs. They can fly continuously for up to 35 hours and cover 2,000 miles without refueling, making them a crucial asset amidst rising regional tensions and the growing importance of armed Drones in global conflicts.

Evolution of UAVs in Warfare

UAVs, or Drones, have revolutionized modern warfare. It is important to differentiate between UAVs and Drones, the terminology frequently used interchangeably. While all UAVs are Drones, not all Drones are UAVs. UAVs are specifically aerial vehicles controlled remotely or autonomously, while the term “Drone” encompasses a broader range of unmanned vehicles, including ground, sea, and underwater variants. Initially used for surveillance, Drones now play critical roles in intelligence gathering, reconnaissance, and combat missions.

Evolving from basic reconnaissance platforms, Drones have gained a reputation for operating in conditions often referred to as “dull, dirty, and dangerous,” thanks to their ability to endure long missions, carry heavy payloads, and perform in challenging environments without risking human lives.

Drones offer significant advantages, especially in modern warfare where control of the skies often equates to dominance on the ground. The conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan showcased the effectiveness of UAVs, such as the Bayraktar TB2, in reclaiming occupied territories. Drones have become integral to both conventional warfare and counterterrorism operations, allowing for precision strikes, intelligence gathering, and close air support.

Roles of Drones in Military Conflicts

Drones serve various roles, including:

  • Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR): Equipped with high-resolution cameras, thermal imaging equipment and radar, Drones provide real-time intelligence to commanders, allowing them to monitor enemy movements, assess battlefield conditions, and make informed decisions. Drones such as the RQ-4 Global Hawk or the Heron can fly at high altitudes for extended periods, gathering intelligence over large areas without being detected. In the Syrian Civil War, U.S. and coalition forces used ISR Drones extensively to track ISIS militants and coordinate airstrikes. The ability to conduct persistent surveillance from the sky gave coalition forces a significant advantage in locating and neutralizing enemy targets.
  • Combat Strikes: Armed Drones such as the MQ-9 Reaper conduct precision strikes, minimizing collateral damage while targeting high-value enemy assets with guided missiles and bombs. During a ten-day period in the autumn of 2023, more than 400 pieces of Russian equipment (tanks and artillery guns) were destroyed by Ukrainian Drones. The use of Drones for targeted killings of terrorist leaders, such as the 2011 strike that killed al-Qaeda operative Anwar al-Awlaki in Yemen, demonstrates the strategic value of Drones in modern conflicts. Drones offer a level of precision, making them suitable for operations in populated areas. Their ability to hover over targets for extended periods before striking enhances their effectiveness in time-sensitive missions.
  • Close Air Support: Drones provide close air support in counterinsurgency operations, delivering real-time intelligence and engaging enemy positions. During the battle for Mosul in Iraq, U.S. forces used Drones to provide support to Iraqi ground troops fighting ISIS. Drones were employed to identify enemy positions, call in airstrikes, and provide overwatch, in the urban combat environment.
  • Logistics: These Drones could be autonomous/manual or a combination of both. Their payloads could include rations, medical supplies, documents, equipment spares, military equipment, and ammunition (delivery of crew-served weapons/ move forward of specialist personnel/casualty evacuation would be future envisaged capabilities).  Unmanned helicopters like the K-MAX are being used to transport supplies in remote or hostile areas.
  • Electronic Warfare: Drones can jam enemy communications, gather electronic intelligence, and disrupt radar systems.

Drone Strikes and Global Impact

In the last decade, Drone strikes have emerged as potential game changers, particularly in counterterrorism operations. One of the most significant strikes occurred on January 3, 2020, when a U.S. Drone killed Iranian General Qasem Soleimani near Baghdad International Airport. This strike heightened tensions between the U.S. and Iran, marking a pivotal moment in the region.

Another key event was the September 2019 Drone strike on Saudi Arabia’s Aramco oil facilities, attributed to Houthi rebels. The attack crippled nearly 50% of the country’s oil production and exposed vulnerabilities in Saudi defense systems.

In 2015, a U.S. Drone strike killed Jihadi John, the British ISIS executioner responsible for numerous brutal killings. Another prominent strike occurred in October 2017, when U.S. Drones targeted ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi’s convoy in Syria, though he was not killed until 2019 in a raid.

Additionally, Drone strikes in Pakistan, Yemen, and Somalia have targeted high-profile terrorist leaders, including Ahmed Godane, the leader of al-Shabaab, killed in a 2014 strike in Somalia and Nasir al-Wuhayshi, the leader of al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), killed in 2015. Pakistan is also pursuing production of smaller Drones locally and these often cross over to India with drugs, arms, and ammunition.

The Drones used by opposing factions of militant groups, as seen in our north-eastern conflict-ridden state of Manipur, (September 1, 2024) though better than those used by Pakistan based smugglers, are in all likelihood laden with home-made bombs/improvised explosive devices which when dropped from a height, explode on impact. These Drones have an operating range between 500 m and max 15 km, and stand no comparison with the Military Grade, Predator/Global Hawk/Heron variety.

The internet is flooded with an array of videos from the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. They all extoll the virtues of a modern-day gadget which dominates the happenings on diverse battlefronts: the first-person view (FPV) Drone. Taking their guidance from a ground-based pilot/operator, who watches a video feed through goggles, these machines are not only cheap, accurate and lethal in effect but also hooked with Artificial Intelligence.

Drone Swarms – An Evolving Lethality

SWARM technology represents the next stage in the ongoing game of Drones. A swarm implies a group of small autonomous Drones working together as a cohesive unit, capable of conducting reconnaissance, surveillance, and offensive missions. Countries like China have tested swarms of loitering munitions, compounding the complexity of Drone warfare. India too, demonstrated its indigenous swarm capabilities during Army Day 2021 with a coordinated attack by 75 Drones on simulated targets. The striking feature was the use of a mix of Drones, more flexible and capable, as against homogenous swarms. According to various analysts, the day is not far when Drone swarms would have the capability to assess targets, sub-distribute tasks and execute them with minimal or nil human interaction. Analysts also predict that we might see rudimentary versions of the technology sooner than later. That might include swarms of Drones working on different frequencies, so they are more resistant to jamming, or swarms that can block or shoot down multiple threats more quickly than the human brain is able to process. These swarm systems, without human intervention, signal the evolving trends in autonomous warfare, raising both tactical and ethical concerns.

Antonio Guterres, the UN Secretary General, said once, “The prospect of machines with the discretion and power to take human life is morally repugnant.”

Manned-Unmanned Teaming

Manned-Unmanned Teaming (MUM-T) is a transformative concept in modern Drone warfare, where manned platforms work in concert with unmanned systems to enhance combat power. This collaboration leverages the strengths of both types of assets, allowing for improved battlefield situational awareness, increased lethality, and reduced risk to human personnel.

MUM-T enables pilots of helicopters or fighter jets to control multiple Drones simultaneously. These Drones can be used for reconnaissance, target acquisition, and even precision strikes, while the manned platform focuses on mission coordination. By using Drones as forward scouts or strike assets, manned systems can operate from safer distances, reducing exposure to enemy reaction.

The concept also allows for greater operational flexibility. For instance, Drones can be deployed in high-risk environments where manned aircraft may be vulnerable, such as anti-access/area denial (A2/AD) zones. Additionally, unmanned systems can carry out ISR missions, while the human operator retains decision-making authority for critical tasks, ensuring a balance between autonomy and human oversight.

MUM-T is revolutionizing mission autonomy, offering a cost-effective solution to modern day combat, where the integration of manned and unmanned platforms is fast evolving to be a game-changer.

Mother Drone Concept

This novel concept involves a large, highly capable UAV deploying and controlling smaller Drones, known as “loyal wingmen” or “Drone swarms,” during combat operations. The Mother Drone acts as a command hub, coordinating the actions of the smaller UAVs, which can perform various tasks like surveillance, electronic warfare, or precision strikes. This allows multiple Drones to cover broader areas or engage diverse targets simultaneously.

Countering Attack Drones

Counter-Drone technologies are now a crucial part of national defence strategies. If someone has a spear, he should have a shield too. These include hard kill methods – kinetic measures like anti-aircraft guns or lasers. For instance, military forces might deploy systems like Israel’s Iron Dome or the U.S. Phalanx to target and eliminate incoming Drones. Another hard kill method could be using nets or other projectiles that entangle the Drone, rendering it incapable of flight in addition to Lasers and directed-energy weapons.

In contrast, soft kill methods focus on non-destructive techniques. This includes jamming the Drone’s communication signals, causing it to lose control or return to its base. Radio frequency jammers disrupt the connection between the Drone and its operator, while GPS spoofing misleads the Drone’s navigation system, making it stray off course. Additionally, some soft kill methods involve hacking into the Drone’s control system to assume command, allowing authorities to safely land or redirect it.

While hard kill techniques are often preferred in high-threat environments, soft kill solutions are more suitable in urban settings where collateral damage must be minimized.

India’s Indigenous Drone Journey

India has been making significant efforts to produce Drones domestically, both for military and civilian purposes. Through initiatives like “Make in India” and the 2021 Drone Rules, the government has encouraged domestic production and innovation. Indian companies, including the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), and several startups, are now producing Drones for applications ranging from border surveillance to precision agriculture to combat strikes.

Indigenous Manufacturing and Technological Advancements

India’s Drone ecosystem is in the midst of rapid technological advancements, led by public and private players. The DRDO, along with companies like HAL and Bharat Electronics Limited, is working on advanced UAVs for military applications. Indigenous Drones such as Tapas are being developed for surveillance, reconnaissance, and combat operations, reflecting India’s focus on self-reliance in this sector.

Startups like ideaForge, Garuda Aerospace, Aarav Unmanned Systems, and Skylark Drones are spearheading commercial Drone development. These companies are creating Drones for a wide range of applications, including infrastructure inspection, and disaster management. Their focus on research and innovation has placed India at the forefront of Drone technology development in the global market.

Indian media reports claim that a Bengaluru based start-up in collaboration with HAL is developing air launched swarm Drone systems as part of Combat Air Teaming System programme.

Challenges and Opportunities

Notwithstanding, despite the rapid growth, the Indian Drone industry faces challenges, including concerns over privacy, security, and the need for more robust infrastructure. Regulatory issues, such as airspace management and the integration of Drones with traditional aviation, need serious indulgence at all levels to ensure safe and efficient operations. However, with the right investments in research, development, and infrastructure, India has the potential to become a global leader in the Drone industry.

The development of Drone industry and ecosystem in India is at an inflection point. With strong government support, a growing number of startups, and increasing demand across multiple sectors, India is well-positioned to become a global hub for Drone innovation.

Conclusion

Drones have retailored modern warfare, offering capabilities that were previously unimaginable. As the technology continues to evolve, countries with advanced Drone arsenals will hold a strategic advantage in future conflicts. Leveraging the development in Artificial Intelligence, satellite communication, 5G and other technologies, Drone clusters with strong invulnerability, low cost and high combat cost effectiveness, will manifest as a force into themselves. These clusters would execute wide area, multi-point and multi directional assaults. As Drones, at all levels of technical sophistication, become increasingly available to responsible and non-state actors (as seen in Manipur recently) alike, it is imperative for India to re-evaluate the implications of this new strategic landscape and prepare for the challenges of a world of proliferated Drones. India, with its growing focus on indigenous Drone production and counter-Drone technologies, must endeavour to be a key player in the global Drone industry, ensuring both security and self-reliance.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Lt Gen Tarun Chawla, was commissioned into the Regiment of Artillery in Jun 1984. He has served with the United Nations Mission in Liberia and has been an instructor at the College of Defence Management at Secunderabad. The officer has commanded an Artillery Brigade in the LC Sector in J&K, and an Artillery Division as part of Army’s Western Command.  He was the Director General Financial Planning, prior to assuming the role of Director General of Artillery.

 


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