Drone Technology’s Rapid Advancement
Drone technology has advanced rapidly in recent years, especially during the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia. The use of drones in warfare has completely changed how battles are fought. Drones can perform various tasks such as spying, attacking targets, and carrying supplies. They are cheaper and easier to produce compared to traditional weapons like missiles and fighter jets. These small flying machines can reach far-off targets without risking human lives, making them highly effective on the battlefield.
Ukraine has produced around 2.2 million small First Person View (FPV) drones and 100,000 long-range drones in 2024 alone. These drones help Ukraine counter the larger Russian army. The FPV drones are equipped with cameras, allowing operators to guide them with precision toward enemy targets. The long-range drones, on the other hand, are used for deeper strikes and reconnaissance missions. Russia has also increased its production, with estimates of around 1.4 million FPV drones in the same year. Both sides have adopted drone technology at a large scale, making drones a key part of modern warfare.
Drones have proven to be effective in attacking both military and civilian targets. They can carry explosives and deliver them with great accuracy. Some drones are even used to act as decoys, tricking air defense systems into wasting expensive missiles on them. This clever tactic allows more dangerous drones to reach their targets without being stopped.
NATO’s Lack of Preparation
Despite the rise in drone warfare, NATO armies are not fully prepared to counter drone attacks. Modern drones are small, fast, and difficult to detect. They can cause heavy damage while costing much less than traditional weapons. Many NATO countries still rely on expensive air defense missiles to shoot down drones. These missiles can cost millions of dollars, while drones can be built for only a few thousand dollars. This makes using missiles against drones highly uneconomical.
Additionally, drone attacks often involve hundreds of drones at once, overwhelming defense systems. To deal with this threat, Ukraine has started using pickup trucks with mounted machine guns and military aviation to shoot down drones. This method is cheaper and faster than firing costly missiles. However, it requires quick reaction times and skilled operators. Kyiv is also testing new laser weapons to destroy drones. These laser systems have shown success in tests by shooting down fixed-wing drones. However, these technologies are still in the early stages of development and not yet widely available.
NATO armies face the challenge of adapting their defenses to deal with the growing number of drone attacks. Traditional methods of air defense, such as fighter jets and missile batteries, are not always effective against small, fast-moving drones. The high cost of these methods makes them unsustainable for long battles. NATO countries need to invest in cheaper and more efficient ways to counter drone swarms.
Role of Artificial Intelligence and Electronic Warfare
Artificial intelligence (AI) has become an important part of drone warfare. Some drones can automatically guide themselves to targets once a human selects the target through a camera. This makes drones harder to stop because they do not need constant control by an operator. However, the decision to attack is still made by humans, not by AI systems. AI helps drones navigate the battlefield, avoid obstacles, and strike targets with greater accuracy.
Electronic warfare has also played a big role in the conflict. Both sides use electronic signals to jam drones, cutting off their communication with operators. To counter this, many drones are now designed to resist jamming signals. Some drones even act as motherships, carrying smaller drones and releasing them close to enemy targets. These mothership drones can also act as relay stations, boosting the signals between the smaller drones and their operators.
Drones have become essential in the ongoing conflict, allowing smaller armies to fight back against larger forces. NATO armies may need to adapt quickly to avoid falling behind in this new era of warfare. The rapid development of drone technology shows that future battles will rely heavily on drones. The ability to produce, control, and defend against drones will play a key role in deciding the outcomes of modern wars.
