Drones are no longer just flying machines used for spying, they’re changing the way wars are fought. They’re quick to launch, hard to spot, and can strike with precision, all without risking a pilot’s life.
The latest clash between India and Pakistan proves how central drones have become in military planning. The Russia-Ukraine war has shown the same. Just like trenches defined World War I, drones are shaping the wars of today.
History of drones
The story of drones goes back more than 100 years. In World War I, Britain tested a radio-controlled ‘Aerial Target’ in 1917, and the US followed with the Kettering ‘Bug’ in 1918. These didn’t enter combat but proved that remote-controlled aircraft were possible.
In the years between the two world wars, drones were mostly used for shooting practice. Britain’s 1935 drone, the Queen Bee, even gave us the term ‘drone’. By the Cold War, things picked up. In the 1950s and 60s, the US began using drones for spying missions. They were heavily used during the Vietnam War.
In the 1970s, drones with glider-like wings that could fly for over 24 hours were developed. The 1990s Balkan Wars saw this long-flying ability in action. Then came satellite control and real-time video, drones could be operated from miles away and give live updates.
The big game-changer came around 2000, when the US armed the Predator drone with Hellfire missiles. This made it a deadly weapon, capable of spying and striking, all without a pilot.
How India started using drones
India first used drones in the 1999 Kargil War. Back then, IAF pilots had to fly risky missions to photograph enemy positions. One plane was even shot down. After that, India got drones from Israel, mainly Searcher and Heron types. These helped India locate enemy spots along the Line of Control (LoC). This early success pushed India to invest more in UAVs.
In 2002, India bought the Israeli Searcher Mk II and Heron drones. Later, it even got Harpy drones, kamikaze drones that destroy enemy radars by crashing into them. These may have been used in last week’s action near Lahore.
As per TOI, in 2009, India purchased 10 Harop drones from Israel, upgraded versions of the Harpy that can destroy radar sites and moving vehicles. By 2021, India secured the newer Heron TP/Mark 2 for longer flights and heavier payloads. It also leased two American MQ-9B SeaGuardian drones for sea patrols and signed a deal in October to buy 30 MQ-9 Reapers, long-range armed drones.
India is also working on its own drones. DRDO’s Ghatak is under development, and Indian-made loitering drones like Nagastra have been introduced.
What happened last week?
As per TOI, India used its armed drones in real combat for the first time on 7–8 May. It launched Harop drones to hit terrorist bases and Pakistani air defence systems. These drones loitered in the air, located targets by detecting radar signals, and then dived in like guided missiles.
On 8–9 May, Pakistan hit back. Drone swarms crossed into Indian airspace at 26 places, from Kashmir to Rajasthan. Many were carrying explosives. India had to quickly use its air defence systems to stop them. Israeli Heron Mk II drones were also deployed by India to keep a close watch on Pakistani movements.
Different types of drones
1. Surveillance And Reconnaissance Drones (ISR Drones)
These drones are primarily used for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) purposes.
INDIA HAS:
Unmanned combat aerial vehicles (UCAVs) are capable of launching missiles or dropping bombs.
INDIA HAS:
These drones are designed to loiter over a target area and strike when a target is identified.
INDIA HAS:
The latest clash between India and Pakistan proves how central drones have become in military planning. The Russia-Ukraine war has shown the same. Just like trenches defined World War I, drones are shaping the wars of today.
History of drones
The story of drones goes back more than 100 years. In World War I, Britain tested a radio-controlled ‘Aerial Target’ in 1917, and the US followed with the Kettering ‘Bug’ in 1918. These didn’t enter combat but proved that remote-controlled aircraft were possible.
In the years between the two world wars, drones were mostly used for shooting practice. Britain’s 1935 drone, the Queen Bee, even gave us the term ‘drone’. By the Cold War, things picked up. In the 1950s and 60s, the US began using drones for spying missions. They were heavily used during the Vietnam War.
In the 1970s, drones with glider-like wings that could fly for over 24 hours were developed. The 1990s Balkan Wars saw this long-flying ability in action. Then came satellite control and real-time video, drones could be operated from miles away and give live updates.
The big game-changer came around 2000, when the US armed the Predator drone with Hellfire missiles. This made it a deadly weapon, capable of spying and striking, all without a pilot.
How India started using drones
India first used drones in the 1999 Kargil War. Back then, IAF pilots had to fly risky missions to photograph enemy positions. One plane was even shot down. After that, India got drones from Israel, mainly Searcher and Heron types. These helped India locate enemy spots along the Line of Control (LoC). This early success pushed India to invest more in UAVs.
In 2002, India bought the Israeli Searcher Mk II and Heron drones. Later, it even got Harpy drones, kamikaze drones that destroy enemy radars by crashing into them. These may have been used in last week’s action near Lahore.
As per TOI, in 2009, India purchased 10 Harop drones from Israel, upgraded versions of the Harpy that can destroy radar sites and moving vehicles. By 2021, India secured the newer Heron TP/Mark 2 for longer flights and heavier payloads. It also leased two American MQ-9B SeaGuardian drones for sea patrols and signed a deal in October to buy 30 MQ-9 Reapers, long-range armed drones.
India is also working on its own drones. DRDO’s Ghatak is under development, and Indian-made loitering drones like Nagastra have been introduced.
What happened last week?
As per TOI, India used its armed drones in real combat for the first time on 7–8 May. It launched Harop drones to hit terrorist bases and Pakistani air defence systems. These drones loitered in the air, located targets by detecting radar signals, and then dived in like guided missiles.
On 8–9 May, Pakistan hit back. Drone swarms crossed into Indian airspace at 26 places, from Kashmir to Rajasthan. Many were carrying explosives. India had to quickly use its air defence systems to stop them. Israeli Heron Mk II drones were also deployed by India to keep a close watch on Pakistani movements.
Different types of drones
1. Surveillance And Reconnaissance Drones (ISR Drones)
These drones are primarily used for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) purposes.
INDIA HAS:
- Israeli Heron and Rustom (developed by DRDO)
- TAPAS-BH-201 (Tactical Advanced Platform for Aerial Surveillance)
- Burraq (also has combat capabilities)
- Uqab | Chinese-origin drones like Wing Loong and CH-4
Unmanned combat aerial vehicles (UCAVs) are capable of launching missiles or dropping bombs.
INDIA HAS:
- Armed Heron TP (from Israel)
- DRDO’s Ghatak (under development)
- Burraq (indigenously developed, based on Chinese technology)
- Wing Loong II (Chinese)
These drones are designed to loiter over a target area and strike when a target is identified.
INDIA HAS:
- Warmate (Polish origin)
- Nagastra (made by Solar Industries & ZMotion)
- Possibly Turkish loitering munitions like
- Kargu or CH-901
- These are off-the-shelf drones, often modified for illegal cross-border activity like arms/ drug smuggling or surveillance.
- Frequently used in Punjab and Jammu regions for dropping weapons or drugs.
- Both countries have reported drone intrusions involving these low-cost devices.
- Multiple drones operate in coordination to overwhelm enemy defenses. DRDO and private firms are working on swarm drone technology.
- Though there's little evidence of swarm capability in Pakistan, it is possibly collaborating with China and Turkiye.
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