All Things Policy

Sky Sentinels: New Frontiers of Drone Warfare

May 19, 2025
Colonel Vikrant Shinde, a Research Fellow at Takshashila, discusses the transformative role of drones in modern warfare. He highlights the evolution of unmanned aerial systems and their implications for airspace management. The dialogue covers the urgent need for regulatory frameworks balancing innovation and security, particularly in the context of recent India-Pakistan conflicts. Vikrant delves into the strategic challenges of integrating commercial drones with traditional air traffic, and the future of airspace safety amidst growing drone threats.
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INSIGHT

Challenges of the Air Littoral

  • The air littoral, airspace below 10,000 feet, is congested with drones, artillery, and helicopters.
  • This low-level airspace requires new management and defense approaches unlike traditional high-altitude air defense.
INSIGHT

Drones Change Battlefield Dynamics

  • Recent India-Pakistan conflict showed drones force layered, persistent defense in low-altitude space.
  • Drones saturate air defense clutter, requiring new ways to declutter and identify hostiles.
ADVICE

Strengthen Drone Regulation Enforcement

  • Strictly enforce mandatory drone registration and pilot licensing to manage airspace safely.
  • Expand drone training organizations to build capacity alongside growing drone industry.
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