Drones: the new weapons of war
- Matthew Parish
- 3 days ago
- 3 min read
The conflict in Ukraine has transformed drone warfare, introducing a diverse array of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) that have reshaped battlefield dynamics. Both Ukrainian and Russian forces have deployed various drone types, ranging from kamikaze drones to fibre optic controlled UAVs, each serving distinct tactical purposes.
Types of Drones and Their Ordnance
Kamikaze Drones (Loitering Munitions): These are one-way attack drones designed to detonate upon impact. Russia has extensively used Iranian-supplied Shahed-136 drones, which can carry up to 40 kg of high explosives and have a range of approximately 2,000 km. They travel at about 185 km/hr. Ukraine has developed her own variants, such as the Bober and UJ-22, tailored for long-range strikes, with similar ranges.
FPV (First-Person View) Drones: Both sides utilise FPV drones for real-time targeting (that is to say, they are flown by an operator who is simultaneously looking at a screen connected to a camera on the drone). These drones can carry various ordnance, including grenades and small explosives, capable of damaging vehicles or personnel. The effectiveness depends on the payload; for instance, a grenade can maim or kill individuals, while larger explosives are needed to destroy armoured vehicles. They may have a range of up to 30 km and can reach speeds of up to 200 km/hr although of course the faster they travel, the more difficult they are to fly accurately given that they are working with an operator in real time.
Longer-range fire-and-return drones: Drones like the Turkish-made Bayraktar TB2 have been employed for intelligence gathering and precision strikes. These drones can carry laser-guided munitions and have been pivotal in targeting enemy positions. They have a range of up to 300 km and can travel at speeds of up to 225 km/hr.
Unconventional Ordnance and Tactics
There have been reports of drones being used to deploy unconventional ordnance:
• Scattering Anti-Personnel Mines: Drones can disperse small mines over areas to hinder enemy movement.
• Chemical Agents: There have been allegations of chemical weapons use by drones, for which the evidence is increasingly substantiated.
• Explosives in Civilian Areas: Drones have been used to target infrastructure and residential areas, aiming to disrupt logistics and morale.
Fibre Optic Drones: A Technological Leap
To counter electronic warfare and jamming, both Ukraine and Russia have developed fibre optic controlled drones. These drones are connected to operators via cables, making them resistant to traditional jamming techniques. Ukraine has tested fibre optic drones with ranges up to 41 km, enhancing their capability to strike into enemy territory on the front line.
Counter-Drone Technologies
As drone threats have escalated, so have countermeasures:
• Electronic Warfare (EW): Jamming signals to disrupt drone communications.
• Anti-Drone Weapons: Devices that can detect and neutralize drones using various methods, including directed energy.
• Mobile Radar Systems: Used to track and intercept incoming drones.
Training and Operational Impact
Operating drones requires varying levels of training:
• Basic FPV Drones: Can be operated with minimal training, making them accessible to a wide range of personnel.
• Advanced UAV's: Require specialised training for navigation, targeting, and mission planning.
FPV drones can be hard to fly in high winds or low cloud or fog, where visibility is limited, or in bad weather generally. By contrast UAV's have computer systems that identify a specific target and can make compensations for weather conditions in reaching their intended destinations.
The integration of drones into battlefield warfare has significantly altered combat strategies, allowing for precise strikes with reduced risk to personnel deploying the drones, who may be based underground in a bunker rather than exposed on the battlefield.
Production and Economic Aspects
Ukraine:
• Has fostered a decentralised drone production ecosystem, involving numerous domestic companies and volunteer groups.
• This approach has led to rapid innovation and adaptability on the battlefield.
Russia:
• Relies more on centralised production, including imports like the Shahed drones from Iran.
• Recent Ukrainian drone strikes have targeted Russian production facilities for drones, such as the Optikovolokonnye Sistemy plant in Saransk, a city in European Russia about 1,000 kilometres from the front line, substantially impacting Russian drone manufacturing capabilities.
Future of Drone Warfare
The Ukraine conflict has demonstrated the transformative impact of drones on modern warfare. As technology advances, we can expect:
• Increased Autonomy: Development of AI-driven drones capable of making real-time autonomous decisions.
• Enhanced Countermeasures: Improved detection and neutralisation systems to combat drone threats.
• Global Proliferation: Other nations adopting and adapting drone technologies based on lessons from the Ukraine conflict.
The ongoing innovations and tactical deployments in Ukraine serve as a blueprint for future engagements, highlighting the critical role drones will play in warfare in the future.