Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), informally called drones in public discourse to include entire systems of platforms, ground control stations, their communication mechanisms and payloads, were employed in significant numbers by both India and Pakistan during the May war last year. Used for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), as well as limited kinetic applications, they allowed both sides to demonstrate resolve, capability and signalling alongside manned platforms. Despite causing very limited destruction, images and videos of downed drones were widely circulated and quickly became a focal point of public attention. Ever since, both India and Pakistan have accelerated procurement as well as indigenous development efforts to plug operational gaps identified during the operation. This clearly suggests their increasing role in future conflict, which therefore requires attention.

Globally, drone technology is rapidly evolving from quadcopters and micro systems to MALE/HALE (medium/high altitude long endurance) categories and kamikaze loitering drones. As integral parts of operational inventories, these platforms are increasingly becoming autonomous, networked and AI-enabled swarming systems. Micro systems and quadcopters support frontline ground formations with real-time surveillance, artillery spotting and local battle damage assessment, whereas MALE drones operate across borders in hostile environments to gather ISR,........

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