The advent of new types of weapons and military strategies is an interesting subject in global security discourse and military intelligence forums. The Ukraine-Russian war is an example of how drone warfare use in a direct, kinetic confrontation can change the tides at the battlefront and related theater. In Ukraine, both militaries have exploited drones to locate targets and guiding artillery fire. The use of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) to combat terrorism provides an even better perspective about efficacy of drones in kinetic military operations. They come as war-enablers thus are powerful weapons.
Currently, the military UAV technology is largely dominated by the Turks, Chinese, and Americans, and partly Russians who are currently credited with inferior technology (average performance of the Orlan-10 in Ukrainian theater). Interestingly, Canadians have untapped Military UAV technology which hold key capabilities for future and current wars besides countering emerging threats. Armed drones are often deployed to destroy and subsequently disrupt and weaken enemy combatant’s leadership and command structures. Surveillance drones provide military intelligence units with mapping and logistics solutions to complex threats and targets (enemy movements, locations, and positions of strategic targets).
Missing in Action
Short-range utility drones have been calibrated to surveillance and combat assets by armed forces. In Ukraine, remotely piloted aircrafts are deploying small payloads (explosive devices) on acquired enemy targets besides conducting ISR operations. However, we are yet to observe short-range utility drones deliver warfare resources such as ammunition and medicine to troops, a tactic that can help small teams of Special Forces conduct specific types of operations. Draganfly Heavy Lift multi-rotor remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) is capable of airlifting a 30kg (67lbs) payload for approximately55 minutes of flight time according to its manufacturer, Draganfly Inc (Nasdaq: DPRO, CSE: DPRO). The RPA hasn’t found its way to Ukraine despite over C$47 million ($34.06 million) in new military aid to assist Ukraine in dealing with Russia’s invasion, with the package including artillery rounds, satellite communications, winter clothing and drone cameras, among other assistance by the Canadian Government.
The Israeli Defense Industry is also loudly missing in the drone warfare theater in Ukraine despite the upset by Iranian Kamikaze drones appearing in Kiev on behalf of Moscow. Israeli drone technology is significantly advanced and superior. The Harop by MBT division of Israel Aerospace Industries could help Ukraine against Kamikaze drones identified as Iranian Shahed-136 weapons. The Harop is an anti-radiation drone that easily destroy enemy radars in (SEAD) operations.
Drone as Primary Future Warfare Assets
UAV are futuristic and gradually changing the face of armed conflicts. Strategic success of future ‘Kinetic Military Operations’ will be largely determined by advanced and reliable drone technology and related systems. In counter terrorism, the strategic and operational levels of operations will depend on a UAV with reliable technological and operational efficiency (ISR, Payload, Flight time, Better Operability). Examples of this futuristic approaches to warfare include incidences where Turkish UAVs, using electronic jamming technology, evaded and subsequently destroyed 3 Russian- Pantsir-S1 air-defense systems in Syria. While in Greece, the military is deploying Israeli anti-drone defense technology (C-UAS which blinds UAV and disrupts its flight path) which is similar to the Israeli Drone Dome in response to Turkish drone threats as a defense measure. More militaries around the world are going for drones for operations ranging from surveillance and reconnaissance to carrying bombs and guided missiles thus, the industry will boom and investors and arms dealers will buy stocks of such defense companies.
