Why are UAVs seen as less of a threat?
- UAVs are generally perceived as less dangerous than piloted fighter jets.
- Even weaponized UAVs have lower firepower compared to fighter aircraft.
- A significant proportion of UAVs are used for surveillance and reconnaissance rather than combat.
- The absence of a pilot reduces the perception of direct state aggression.
- UAV missions pose lower financial and human risks, making them a more viable option for intelligence gathering.
Relevance : GS 2(International Relations) , GS 3(Internal Security ,Technology)
Recent Examples of UAV Usage and Responses
- Iran-U.S. incident (2019):
- Iran shot down an American drone over the Strait of Hormuz.
- The U.S. claimed it was over international waters, but refrained from military retaliation.
- Russia-U.S. incident (2023):
- Russia downed an American MQ-9 Reaper UAV.
- The U.S. did not escalate militarily.
- Pattern of Response:
- Countries tend to react less aggressively to UAV incidents compared to fighter jet incursions.
- This enables states to use UAVs more frequently in foreign airspace, leading to potential risk-taking behavior.
Implications for India
- Challenges with Pakistan:
- Pakistan-based UAVs often transport arms and drugs across the border.
- India has used expensive air-to-air missiles (e.g., Su-30 interception in 2019) to neutralize them, raising cost-effectiveness concerns.
- Need for cost-efficient counter-UAV solutions.
- Bangladesh’s UAV deployment:
- Turkish Bayraktar TB-2 UAVs are used near the Indian border for surveillance.
- India must decide how to respond without escalating tensions.
- Strategic Considerations for India:
- As UAVs become integral to modern warfare, India must adapt its military strategy.
- Development of counter-UAV technology (e.g., jammers, directed energy weapons) is crucial.
- Policy decisions should weigh security risks, economic costs, and diplomatic repercussions.
Conclusion
- UAVs present both opportunities and challenges in modern warfare.
- They offer low-risk intelligence gathering, but also encourage bold and frequent incursions.
