Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) have become an integral aspect of modern conflict and warfare, employed by both state and non-state actors. Discuss its implications for India's security architecture and state the measures being taken to address them. Also suggest other steps to tackle the threats emanating from UAVs.

states

• a) India - Pak conflict → India attacked Pak radars with drones
• b) Russia-Ukraine Conflict → Ukraine op. Spiderweb to target deep russian infra
• c) Israel-Hamas - Israel used drones to target key leaders
• Non state
  • a) Terror outfit use it for weapon supply (e.g. Punjab border
  • b) organised crime networks use for drug trafficking

Implication for India -

(1) Rising organised-terrorist coordination → use of drones for supply of weapons funds & drugs by both

(2) Border infra → need to update for counter UAV architecture

(3) Threaten border population as seen using Op. Sindoor

(4) Need for upgradation of security archit → new UAV command in IAF

(5) Insurgency → drones used by J&K militants, north-east insurgents to carry out their activities

(6) Difficult to trace & current radar system ill-equiped to handle low flying UAVs

measures taken

(1) Anti-Drone system (e.g.) Op Sindor saw use of indegeneous Aakash system

(2) UAVs produced by DRDO → NISHANT, Tapas etc for modern warfare (3) Seperate command in army for tackling emerging UAV threats (4) Empowering local border police (e.g.) Punjab police with anti drone guns. (5) UAV use in border security a) Surveillance b) Providing supplies to army

More measures needed (1) Develop UAV fleet for operation readiness → learn from Iran & Turkey (2) Indigenous production → encourage defense startups like yudha (3) Capacity building of army personnel, police (4) Coordination between armed forces & local police (5) Innovation → spend on R&D (just 0.6% now)