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by Ms. Shahar Bano 21 July 2023
The advancement of the latest technology paved the way for the malicious use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) by both state and non-state actors equally. The induction of UAVs in weaponry has reoriented the character of warfare towards more gains with negligible losses. Today, the likelihood of total war is probably tricky and states use UAVs for precision, autonomy, and lethality in low-intensity conflicts. However, their widespread use has created a critical need for counter-drone technology. Major world powers such as the United States, Russia, China, and Europe started investing heavily in developing advanced counter-drone systems to protect their citizens and critical infrastructure.
Although India initiated development in UAVs at the start of the 2000s, it gained momentum after 2017. Since then, it has been engaged in developing a variety of UAVs for both military and civilian purposes. The first combat drone, developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) was the Nishant UAV, which was first tested in 2004.[1] However, Nishant UAV, with its limited range and payload capacity, was not designed for combat operations. Presently Indian military possesses a number of advanced UAVs for multiple missions of surveillance, reconnaissance, and intelligence gathering i.e., TAPAS-BH-201 and also Israeli based Hermes 900, which is designed for tactical missions.
India has been placing greater emphasis on the development of combat drones, as is pointed out in its latest 2021 drone policy with a particular focus on advanced technologies like artificial intelligence and autonomous systems[2]. As a result, India’s Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities have undergone significant transformation. Numerous official announcements have highlighted India’s commitment to AI and the development of combat drones. For example, the Ministry of Defence announced in 2017 that it had successfully tested Rustom-II, a combat drone specifically designed for ISR operations and precision-guided munition strikes.[3] Since then, India is continuously developing and testing a range of combat drone technologies, including swarm drones and loitering munitions. India’s DRDO in 2021 ensured that it successfully tested a swarm of 25 autonomous drones, which were able to execute simulated strike missions against specific targets.
Overall, India has been gradually improving its drone development capabilities over time, India’s combat drone programme is still in its initial stages in comparison to states such as the US and Israel. However, its continuous spending in drone capabilities represents a significant focus in advanced military technologies and it is further developing it which has significant implications for regional security as well.
Pakistan has been strengthening its drone capabilities too, inclined towards their military use. The Burraq and the Shahpar are two drones employed for surveillance and reconnaissance by the Pakistani military[4]. Moreover, Pakistan is actively working on armed drones with precision strike capabilities, including the Burraq and the Uqaab. Mostly Pakistan’s military drones are result of joint ventures or transfer of drone technology from countries like Türkiye, China and France. Particularly, the latest induction of Turkish Bayraktar Akinci, Chinese Wing Loong II and indigenously manufactured Shahpar-2 has significantly bolstered Pakistan’s ability to carry out operations. In comparison, Pakistan’s combat drone programme is more advanced than India.[5] However, considering India’s rapid progress in adopting latest technology, its joint ventures with US and Israel and being one of the largest economies with defence spending 7 times greater than Pakistan, this advantage is ineffective due to the asymmetry in terms of drone numbers and edge in technology. Therefore, Pakistan needs a robust counter drone programme to safeguard its national security.
Thus India’s pursuit of combat drones possesses multiple challenges for Pakistan. Firstly, as India’s combat drone programme enhances its offensive capabilities, it empowers India to conduct precision strikes on targets in Pakistan with more accuracy and effectiveness. Other than that, combat drones can enable India with real-time intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities, which would help it to gather information regarding Pakistan’s military positions and movements. Moreover, India’s advanced technologies like artificial intelligence and autonomous systems in its combat drone programme also pose challenge to Pakistan’s security as these create a technological race within the region specifically for Pakistan. This will also impact other state’s security in the region which will in turn initiate a technological superiority race within the region.
Additionally, it can be challenging for many developing states’ budget because the development and acquisition of combat drones can be costly, hence this race can present a budgetary challenge for Pakistan. Furthermore, the use of combat drones by India can generate public chaos in Pakistan, which would affect overall public sentiments in both states, resulting in an increase to the already tense relationship between the two states.
The primary drivers of cutting-edge counter drone technology are US, Israel and China. Mostly this anti-drone technology consists of two elements i.e., defenders referred to typical drone jamming, hacking, spoofing and drone catchers while destroyers refer to those counter drone technologies able to obliterate the enemy UAVs using laser, electronic warfare and high-power microwave using electromagnetic impulses to destroy even the drone swarm. Examples of these are US’s Silent Archer[6] or Israel’s Drone Dome[7] or China’s SHORAD[8]. Latest of which is the Russian S-500 which has a longer range of 600KM to 800KM compared to its predecessor having range up to 4oo KM[9]. These latest technologies utilize both hard kill as well as soft kill tactics in order to effectively counter enemy UAVs.
As India is continuously investing in its drone and AI capabilities, it is very crucial for Pakistan to develop effective countermeasures against combat drones. It is a complex task that needs a multifaceted approach to secure itself completely. Keeping in mind India’s pace with the development of combat drones, Pakistan should focus more on its defensive strategies as per India’s offensive technological inductions. The best option in this case would be the acquisition of anti-drone technology which will be the best solution for Pakistan to secure itself. Keeping in view the facts presented above, following way forward is recommended.
- Early detection of these drones using advanced radar systems, for instance Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radars, so that the early detection of low-flying and small-sized targets can increase its security. These systems can be utilized to detect combat drones and alert air defense to intercept them.
- To counter the Indian offensive capability with respect to drones, there is a need to develop advanced anti-aircraft systems that can straight shoot down combat drones. In this case, Pakistan should consider investing in Advanced Surface-to-Air Missiles (SAMs), such as the Russian S-400 or the Chinese HQ-9. These systems rank among the world’s most advanced long-range air defense systems. They are equipped with advanced radar systems which enable them to detect and track multiple targets at the simultaneously including drones and other airborne threats[10]. Pakistan has been pursuing to acquire the Russian S-400 system or the Chinese HQ-9 system to enhance its air defence capabilities. In fact, it was reported in 2017 that Pakistan had signed an agreement with China to purchase an unspecified number of HQ-9 systems[11].
- Investing in electronic warfare capabilities is one of the ways to disrupt the communication links among combat drones and their operators. Pakistan has started to develop its EW capabilities after 2019, when Indian done was shot down near LOC using sir defence system, which although is a victory yet a point for concern considering today’s need of advanced detection systems. In fact, Pakistan navy has successfully developed its first EW system RIBAT.[12] However, more research and investment is needed in this regard especially incorporating jamming systems and spoofing devices into traditional air defence systems which would help in disrupting the navigation and communication systems of combat drones.
- Pakistan should emphasize more towards developing advanced and compact technologies, for example incorporating laser-based systems that can disable or destroy drones at shorter/close ranges. In this regard, it should consider deploying anti-drone systems inspired by the latest trending technology, like the Drone Dome system of Israel and Turkish based mobile anti drone systems. This system is capable for both, detecting and neutralization of drones by using a combination of kinetic (laser) and electronic (jammers) technology.
- Deployment of air defense systems along its porous borders i.e. Afghanistan as well as Indian border especially Line of Control (LOC). This might happen using radar systems to detect if any coming drones and then timely deploying Surface-to-Air Missiles (SAMs) and any other anti-aircraft weapons to shoot them down accordingly.
- Development of a layered defense system to counter Indian combat drones, which includes multiple layers of defense at different altitudes. This could be the deployment of low-altitude systems, for example, Jammers and net guns, which would disable or capture drones at short/close range, while deploying high-altitude systems, like SAMs and anti-drone lasers, which are used to shoot down drones from a distance.
In conclusion, to counter Indian combat drones involves the multi-faceted approach which includes the development and investment in advanced radar systems, anti-aircraft systems, electronic warfare capabilities, and counter-drone technologies. Pakistan also needs to invest in research and development to be updated about India’s drone technology advancements and counter-drone researchers going around the world so that Pakistan can choose the one with efficient results. Moreover, forming new partnerships with ASEAN or Arab states, as well as China, Russia, and other nations, is crucial for acquiring the necessary capital and expertise to establish a robust and sustainable counter strategy on drone program.
References:
[1] “Nishant,” Defence Research and development Organization, https://www.drdo.gov.in/nishant
[2] [to be published in the Gazette of India, extraordinary, part II … – goi (no date). Available at: https://www.civilaviation.gov.in/sites/default/files/Draft_Drones_Rules_14_Jul_2021.pdf (Accessed: May 2, 2023).
[3] “Rustom-2 Indigenous UAV,” NEXTIAS, https://www.nextias.com/current-affairs/16-12-2021/rustom-2-indigenous-uav
[4] Banerjee, A. (2021) Pakistan ‘races ahead’ of India in drone technology; is 4th country to deploy ucavs in Combat Ops, Latest Asian, Middle-East, EurAsian, Indian News. Available at: https://eurasiantimes.com/pakistan-races-ahead-of-india-in-drone-technology-is-4th-country-to-deploy-ucavs-in-combat-ops/ (Accessed: May 8, 2023).
[5] Banerjee, A. (2021) Pakistan ‘races ahead’ of India in drone technology; is 4th country to deploy ucavs in Combat Ops, Latest Asian, Middle-East, EurAsian, Indian News. Available at: https://eurasiantimes.com/pakistan-races-ahead-of-india-in-drone-technology-is-4th-country-to-deploy-ucavs-in-combat-ops/ (Accessed: May 8, 2023).
Banerjee, A. (2021) Pakistan ‘races ahead’ of India in drone technology; is 4th country to deploy ucavs in Combat Ops, Latest Asian, Middle-East, EurAsian, Indian News. Available at: https://eurasiantimes.com/pakistan-races-ahead-of-india-in-drone-technology-is-4th-country-to-deploy-ucavs-in-combat-ops/ (Accessed: May 8, 2023).
[6] Media, OpenSystems. “Military Embedded Systems.” Silent Archer Counter-UAS Technology. Accessed April 28, 2023. https://militaryembedded.com/unmanned/counter-uas/silent-archer-counter-uas-technology.
[7] Karampela, Elli, and Katie Smith-Wong. “Drone Dome Counter-Uncrewed Aerial System (C-UAS), Israel.” Army Technology. Accessed April 28, 2023. https://www.army-technology.com/projects/drone-dome-counter-uncrewed-aerial-system-c-uas-israel/#:~:text=Drone%20Dome%20mechanism,location%20by%20its%20RF%20signature
[8] “China’s ‘Drone Killer’ Shorad System Armed with Missiles & Gatling …” Accessed April 27, 2023. https://eurasiantimes.com/edited-china-unveils-new-shorad-system-armed-with-missiles/.
[9] (no date) Military Watch Magazine. Available at: https://militarywatchmagazine.com/article/is-the-s500-missile-system-an-f35-and-f22-killer-a-force-multiplier-for-russias-air-defences#:~:text=Advanced%20features%20the%20S%2D500,400%20to%20maximise%20situational%20awareness . (Accessed: May 2, 2023).
[10] “S-400 Triumph Air Defence Missile System.” Army Technology, June 15, 2020. https://www.army-technology.com/projects/s-400-triumph-air-defence-missile-system/.
[11] “S-400 Triumph Air Defence Missile System.” Army Technology, June 15, 2020. https://www.army-technology.com/projects/s-400-triumph-air-defence-missile-system/.
[12] Debrief of Pakistan Navy’s operational exercise ribat-2021 held at Karachi (2021) Daily Times. Available at: https://dailytimes.com.pk/718513/debrief-of-pakistan-navys-operational-exercise-ribat-2021-held-at-karachi/ (Accessed: May 2, 2023).