Drones and Missiles as Sole Combatants in Future Wars? Examination of Potential Capabilities by Parsa Venkateshwar Rao Jr.
In the ongoing India-Pakistan conflict, the use of drones as a tactical tool has gained significant attention. India is closely monitoring Pakistan's military drone acquisitions, including potential imports from Turkey, as part of its broader response to recent conflicts and escalating tensions.
The Indian military views drones as a crucial component of modern warfare, with a focus on expanding its own drone capabilities and forming dedicated drone units. This shift towards drone warfare is driven by the asymmetric advantage drones provide in surveillance, intelligence, and precision strikes.
During the 2025 India-Pakistan conflict, both countries employed drones extensively. India claimed to have neutralized Pakistani air defense systems damaged by drone and missile strikes, while Pakistan shot down dozens of Indian drones. This intense drone warfare underscores the importance both countries place on Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) for tactical operations, intelligence gathering, and battlefield dominance.
India's strategic assessments indicate that Pakistan is acquiring a range of drone technology, including imports from countries like Turkey. However, specific details on Turkish drones in Pakistan’s arsenal remain less explicit in open sources.
The evolving drone battlefield has led India to push for dedicated drone battalions in its army, signaling a doctrinal shift towards integrating drone warfare as a key strike force in any potential war scenarios with Pakistan. Analysts note that the drone campaigns and cross-border strikes, involving both indigenous and imported drones, have redefined India’s military engagement rules and forced both sides to reconsider norms around drone warfare.
In response to the increased use of drones, India has successfully shot down and jammed drones. However, radar-eluding drones carrying heavy bombs over medium-range distances remain a potential concern.
The use of drones as a weapon of attack was first observed during the Ukraine war, and since then, their role in military conflicts has grown. Countries like Russia, Iran, and Turkey are actively involved in producing and exporting military drones.
It's important to note that drones are considered a dual-use technology, capable of functioning in both civilian and military fields. However, their militarization and use in conflicts have raised concerns about the potential for increased hostilities and the need for new engagement norms.
In the case of Pakistan, drones have been used for smuggling drugs into India, with the police in Punjab confiscating many drone droppings. This illegal use of drones highlights the need for international cooperation and regulation to prevent their misuse.
In summary, the role of drones in the India-Pakistan conflict is a significant development in the changing landscape of modern warfare. As both countries continue to invest in and develop their drone capabilities, the need for new engagement norms and international regulations becomes increasingly important to prevent escalating tensions and maintain peace.
Drone acquisitions and their role in conflicts have emerged as key points of politics and general news in the India-Pakistan scenario. India's focus on expanding its drone capabilities is driven by the tactical advantage they offer in intelligence, surveillance, and precision strikes, as evidenced by their extensive use in previous conflicts. This shifting focus on drone warfare is sparking discussions about new engagement norms and the need for international regulations to prevent the misuse of drones.
