UAVs in Focus: Risks and Rewards Explored

Context:

This analysis examines the growing use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) globally and in India, highlighting their strategic advantages and security challenges. With examples like Chinese UAVs near Japan and India’s evolving drone policies, the piece underscores their dual role in military and civilian domains, relevant for understanding technology, security, and governance.

1. Strategic Advantage: UAVs offer low-risk reconnaissance, as seen with Chinese drones near Okinawa (2025), avoiding the escalation of manned aircraft incursions.
2. Military Rewards: Armed UAVs enhance precision strikes and surveillance, with India deploying them along borders (e.g., LoC, LAC) for tactical edge.
3. Civilian Benefits: Drones aid agriculture (crop monitoring), disaster management (flood relief), and infrastructure (surveying), boosting efficiency and safety.
4. Cost Efficiency: UAVs are cheaper than manned aircraft, with no pilot risk, making them attractive for resource-strapped nations like India.
5. Security Risks: Proliferation raises threats—e.g., Houthi drone attacks on Red Sea shipping (2024) show their potential to disrupt trade routes.
6. Espionage Concerns: Unregulated UAVs enable covert surveillance; India faces this from neighboring countries, straining border security.
7. Counter Challenges: Detecting and neutralizing small, agile drones is tough—India’s air defenses struggle despite DRDO’s anti-drone tech advancements.
8. Policy Evolution: India’s Drone Rules 2021 and PLI scheme (Rs 120 crore, 2021) promote domestic UAV production, balancing innovation with regulation.

Key Terms:

• UAV: Unmanned Aerial Vehicle, remotely operated aircraft for various tasks.
• Reconnaissance: Gathering intelligence without direct confrontation.
• Drone Rules 2021: India’s regulatory framework for UAV operations.
• PLI Scheme: Production Linked Incentive to boost local manufacturing.
• LoC/LAC: Line of Control/Actual Control, India’s tense border regions.
• DRDO: Defence Research and Development Organisation, India’s defense tech body.
• Espionage: Covert intelligence gathering, often via drones.

Link To The Original Article – https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/what-are-the-different-risks-and-rewards-of-using-uavs-explained/article69350650.ece