UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 21st March 2025

Home UPSC Current Affairs What are the different risks and rewards of using UAVs?

What are the different risks and rewards of using UAVs?

Why in News:

The increasing use of UAVs for surveillance and cross-border activities necessitates a strategic response from India to balance national security with cost-effective countermeasures.

Introduction

The recent sighting of two Chinese Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) near Okinawa and Japan’s measured response highlights the evolving dynamics of aerial security.
Unlike piloted aircraft, UAVs are often perceived as a lesser threat due to their unmanned nature and limited offensive capabilities.
However, this perception also emboldens states to deploy UAVs for reconnaissance and covert operations without significant fear of escalation.
For India, UAV incursions—especially from Pakistan and Bangladesh—pose unique security challenges, requiring a strategic response that balances deterrence with cost-effectiveness.

Why Are UAVs Seen as Less of a Threat?

Several factors contribute to UAVs being perceived as a lower threat compared to piloted fighter jets:

Limited Offensive Capabilities: While some UAVs can carry weapons, they are generally less capable than fighter jets. Many UAVs serve non-combat roles such as reconnaissance and surveillance.
Absence of Human Presence: The lack of a pilot reduces the political and military costs of losing an aircraft. Shooting down a UAV does not lead to the loss of human life, making states less hesitant to deploy them near foreign airspace.
Lower Economic Costs: UAVs are more expendable than piloted aircraft. Countries may use them for intelligence-gathering missions or low-risk provocations without risking expensive military assets.
Minimal Retaliatory Consequences: Past incidents, such as Iran’s downing of a U.S. surveillance drone in 2019 and Russia’s destruction of an American MQ-9 Reaper in 2023, did not lead to major military escalations, reinforcing the notion that UAVs can be intercepted without severe repercussions.

The Dual-Edged Nature of UAV Operations

While the lower perceived threat of UAVs prevents immediate escalation, it also incentivizes risk-taking behavior by states.
Countries are more likely to conduct UAV missions near contested borders or within adversarial airspace, knowing that the response will likely be restrained.
This creates challenges for national security and aerial defense.

India’s UAV Challenge

Pakistan’s Use of UAVs for Cross-Border Activities
- Pakistan has frequently used small, propeller-powered UAVs for illegal activities such as smuggling arms and drugs across the border.
- Since the Pakistani government does not take accountability for these incursions, India must address the issue through cost-effective countermeasures.
- In 2019, India used an expensive air-to-air missile launched from a Su-30 fighter jet to shoot down a UAV—a financially unsustainable approach for routine UAV threats.
- Instead, India must explore cheaper alternatives such as:

- Jamming and electronic warfare (EW) systems to disable UAV communications.
- Dedicated counter-drone technology like anti-drone lasers and drone-hunting UAVs.
- Ground-based air defense systems optimized for low-cost interception.
Bangladesh’s Deployment of UAVs Near the Indian Border

Recently, Bangladesh deployed Turkish Bayraktar TB-2 UAVs for surveillance near the Indian border. The TB-2, a large fixed-wing UAV, has endurance and size comparable to piloted aircraft. In the unlikely event of such UAVs entering Indian airspace, India must assess the risk level and respond proportionally to prevent escalation. Potential responses could include:

- Diplomatic Engagement: Raising concerns through diplomatic channels before resorting to military action.
- Non-Lethal Interception: Deploying UAVs to shadow and warn intruding drones rather than shooting them down immediately.
- Layered Defense Strategies: Utilizing radars and surface-to-air missiles (SAMs) for selective engagement based on the threat level.

Strategic Evolution: Integrating UAVs into India’s Defense Doctrine

As UAVs become an integral part of modern warfare, India must enhance its drone warfare capabilities. Steps to strengthen UAV strategy include:

Indigenous UAV Development: Investing in domestic UAV programs to reduce dependence on foreign technology.
Advanced Surveillance Networks: Deploying high-resolution radar and AI-based tracking systems for improved UAV detection.
Offensive Drone Capabilities: Developing armed UAVs for deterrence and retaliatory strikes if needed.
Collaboration with Allies: Strengthening UAV-based intelligence-sharing with strategic partners.

Conclusion

The increasing use of UAVs in military and security operations necessitates a well-calibrated approach from India.
While UAVs present a lower risk of direct military escalation, their use for surveillance, smuggling, and cross-border provocations poses strategic challenges.
A balanced response combining technological innovation, cost-effective defense systems, and diplomatic engagement will be crucial in securing India’s airspace while avoiding unnecessary conflicts.