Army to Strengthen its Air Defence Amid Drones and Security Threats

Syllabus: GS3/Defence

Context

• The Indian Army is moving to strengthen its air defence as evolving aerial threats, including drones and low-flying aircraft, challenge traditional defence systems.

About

• A contract for the indigenously developed Quick Reaction Surface to Air Missile (QRSAM) system is expected to be concluded within 4-5 months.
  • QRSAM, developed by DRDO, has a range of 30 km and is a priority for the Army.
  • The Akash SAM has three regiments in service, and two regiments of the Akash-NG have been contracted, with enhanced prototypes expected for trials in 45 days.
• The rise in drone usage, especially in the Ukraine war, is challenging air defence quantification and quality of threats.

Drones

• Drones, also known as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), are aircraft that are operated without a human pilot onboard. 
• They come in various sizes and are used for a wide range of applications, from military to civilian purposes.
• Military Applications:
  • Surveillance and Reconnaissance: Drones are widely used for gathering intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) without putting human pilots at risk.
  • Targeted Strikes: Larger military drones, such as the MQ-9 Reaper, can carry missiles or bombs and conduct airstrikes on enemy targets.
  • Real-time Intelligence: Advanced sensors provide live battlefield data.
  • Psychological Warfare: Persistent UAV presence creates fear and deterrence.
  • Logistics and Resupply: Drones can deliver supplies to troops in remote or difficult-to-access locations.
  • Law Enforcement: Assist in crowd monitoring, surveillance, and rescue ops.
  • Precision Strikes: Laser-guided missiles ensure surgical hits, minimizing collateral damage.

Need to Strengthen Aerial Defence

• Used by adversaries: India has faced instances where drones were used to drop weapons or conduct surveillance along its borders.
  • Drones have been used to infiltrate Indian airspace, especially near critical installations, military bases, and borders, raising concerns about their potential to carry out strikes.
• Enhanced warfare tactics: Drones ability to carry loitering munitions, conduct surveillance, and disrupt enemy operations presents new challenges for air defence systems.
• Surveillance concerns: Drones are also increasingly being used for civilian purposes, such as delivery services or surveillance. However, their misuse for espionage, smuggling, or disrupting public events has raised security concerns.

India’s Efforts

• Air defence upgrades: India’s air defence systems are being modernized to address drone threats, with the introduction of smart ammunition, counter-drone systems, and new anti-aircraft guns.
  • Efforts are underway to induct advanced systems like the Quick Reaction Surface to Air Missile (QRSAM) and smart ammunition.
• Technological advancements: India is developing counter-drone systems to detect, track, and neutralize threats from drones. 
• Regulation: Civil Aviation Requirements (CAR) for drones, to control their use in the civilian sector.
  • The new Drone (Amendment) Rules 2023 for drone pilots, effective from the 27th of September 2023.
  • The move aims to further liberalise, promote and facilitate drone operations across the country and make India a global drone hub by 2030.
• Indigenous technology: India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and other agencies are working on developing homegrown technologies to address the emerging drone threat.
  • This includes advanced radar systems, anti-drone weapons, and missile systems designed to counter UAVs.

Conclusion

• Drones are versatile and powerful tools used across various sectors. 
• Their growing role in both military and civilian fields has revolutionized industries, but it also presents new challenges, especially in terms of regulation and security.

Source: TH