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Context:

• Recently, Japan has spotted 2 Chinese UAVs near Okinawa.
• But UAVs (drones) are mostly seen as less dangerous than fighter jets because of their limited payload & lack of human presence.

What Are UAVs?

• UAVs or drones are aircraft without onboard pilots.
• They were initially used for military reconnaissance. But they have evolved for civilian uses as well.

Why UAVs are Seen as Less of a Threat:

• Because UAVs usually carry smaller and less powerful weapons than fighter jets.
• UAVs are used for monitoring not combat and are usually unarmed.
• Since UAVs have no pilot so they are less threatening as there is no human life at risk.
• If a UAV is shot down then it is cheaper to replace compared to manned aircraft.

What are the examples of UAVs Being Shot Down:

1. 2019 (Iran vs. US): An American drone was shot down by Iran. But  U.S. didn’t retaliate aggressively.
2. 2023 (Russia vs. US): Russia shot down a US MQ-9 Reaper UAV. but There was no major U.S. retaliation.

What are the Implications for India:

1. Pakistan: Pakistan is using UAVs to transport arms & drugs in india. So India needs cost effective solutions to deal with these incursions.
2. Bangladesh: Bangladesh uses larger UAVs for surveillance near the Indian border. so India needs a strategy to respond without escalating tensions.
3. Defense Strategy: Moreover, India must adapt its defense to handle UAV threats without provoking conflict.

Military Applications:

1. UAVs provide real time data over long periods such as Heron drones of India .
2. Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicles (UCAVs): these Drones are designed for combat missions like air to ground attacks ( MQ-9 Reaper, Ghatak).
3. Swarm Drones: Multiple UAVs work together for a mission (Israeli Defense Forces in Gaza).
4. Kamikaze Drones: these drones crash into targets with explosives. They were used in conflicts like the Ukraine Russia war.

Civil Applications:

1. Aerial Surveying and Mapping (Odisha using drones after Cyclone Fani).
2. Law Enforcement and Crowd Management: Drones monitor crowds & theysanalyze crime scenes.
3. Medical and Healthcare: Drones also deliver medicines, vaccines, & organs in remote areas (India’s Medicine from the Sky project).
4. Agriculture: Drones also monitor crops. It is also improving farm productivity (Mahindra Agri Solutions in Punjab & Karnataka).
5. Environment Conservation: Drones are also used for wildlife tracking & it is preventing poaching (Kaziranga & Panna Tiger Reserve).

India’s UAV Initiatives and Goals

• India is aiming to become a drone superpower by 2030.
• So, India is focused on boosting domestic manufacturing & innovation.

Key Steps:

1. Make in India: it is encouraging domestic drone production.
2. Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme: it provides Financial support for Indian drone manufacturers.
3. Drone (Amendment) Rules 2022: it is simplifying drone regulations & reducing permits.
4. Digital Sky Platform: it is an online platform for drone related information & applications.
5. Drone Shakti Scheme: it is promoting drone services through startups.

Indigenous Drones Developed by India:

1. DRDO Abhyas
2. DRDO Ghatak
3. Rustom-1 & 2: Surveillance & reconnaissance drones.
4. TAPAS-BH-201: Light combat drone.
5. DRDO Netra: A surveillance drone for tracking airborne and sea targets.

Source: TH