THE DRONE THREAT: AN UNMANNED REALITY

The drone threat is real and is far more difficult to neutralize than a modern fighter. Stealth and low cost of drones makes it an extremely affordable weapon in the hands of disgruntled non-state actors, argues TEJ PRAKASH SRIVASTAVA

- TEJ PRAKASH SRIVASTAVA

The recent drone attack at Jammu airfield has brought out in the open the magnitude of drone threat. Who sent the weaponized drone is of no consequence? Can we protect our sensitive installations from near-certain future drone attacks is the issue that merits in-depth analysis? Do we really have an operational drone detection system available in large numbers acclaimed by a few on TV channels? For that matter does any nation in the world have a proven anti-drone system? General McKenzie, US Military Commander in the Middle East has this to say drones are the biggest threat to US forces in the region.

Weaponized drones visiting Jammu airfield in the wee hours of June 30 and dropping a few kg of explosives, fortunately, did not result in any major damage to men or equipment, but it has woken up a nation from slumber. We react only when an event takes place. Drones being used by ‘non-state actors’ for anti-national activities is nothing new. The use of drones in all fields has increased exponentially during the last decade, subversive activities and silent strikes, in particular.

The USA has used, as well as, faced weaponized drones extensively over the past three decades. Current drones are derived from the Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) concept. UAVs are prohibitively expensive and require a huge ground control set up to use it as a weapon, recce platform and/or surveillance facility.