Context

Recently, the United States sanctioned Iran’s Missile, Drone Programme, and urged Allies for united response.

Iranian Drones in the Russia-Ukraine War

• Russian Use of Iranian Drones: Russia has employed Iranian drones in its ongoing conflict with Ukraine,utilizing their capabilities to strike targets and cause significant damage.
• Western Counter measures: Western countries have struggled to effectively counter the threat posed by Russian-Iranian drones, highlighting the need for improved defense systems.
• Diminishing Support for Ukraine: The inability to neutralize these drones has led to a potential decrease in support for Ukraine from Western countries, as the conflict becomes increasingly challenging.

Enroll now for UPSC Online Course

Iran’s Direct Attack on Israel

• Largest Drone Attack: In a historic event, Iran launched the largest drone attack in history, with more than 170 Iranian Shahed drones targeting Israel.
• Israel’s Arrow Defense System: Israel’s Arrow defense system was put to the test, responding to the unprecedented swarm of Iranian drones.
• Swarm Drone Threat: The attack highlighted the potential threat posed by swarm drone attacks, a tactic that could overwhelm traditional defense systems.

War Economics in the Iran-Israel Conflict

• Iran’s Low-Cost Drones: Iran’s drones are relatively inexpensive, giving them a significant advantage in terms of cost-effectiveness compared to America and Israel’s expensive missiles and interceptors.
• Unsustainable Defense: The potential unsustainability of America and Israel’s defense against low-cost attacks from Iranian drones raises concerns about the long-term viability of their current strategies.

The Evolution of Iranian Drone Programme

• Domestic Military Industry: After the 1979 Islamic Revolution, Iran established a domestic military industry to counter sanctions and embargoes.
• Iran-Iraq War:During the Iran-Iraq war, Iran started its drone program, laying the foundation for its current capabilities.
• Rapid Improvement: In the last decade, Iran’s drone program has undergone a drastic improvement,resulting in advanced and sophisticated drones.

Key Features of Iranian Drones

• Advanced Radar: Iranian drones are equipped with advanced radar systems, allowing for precise targeting and navigation.
• Anti-Jamming Systems: These drones feature robust anti-jamming systems, making them resilient against electronic countermeasures
• Precise Targeting: With their advanced guidance systems, Iranian drones can accurately strike targets with minimal collateral damage.

Lessons for India

• Potential Access to Pakistan: There is a risk of Iranian drones being accessed by Pakistan, posing a threat to India’s security.
• Readiness for Drone Swarm Warfare: India must be prepared for the possibility of drone swarm warfare, as demonstrated by Iran’s attacks on Israel.
• Current Limitations: India currently faces limitations in intercepting and targeting drones, highlighting the need for improved defense systems.
• Project Durga: India’s DRDO is developing Project Durga, a counter-drone system, but delays and challenges persist.
• Enhancing Drone Capabilities: India must enhance its drone capabilities and reduce delays to effectively counter the threat posed by Iranian drones.

Enroll now for UPSC Online Classes

Conclusion

The utilization of Iranian drones in conflicts such as the Russia-Ukraine war and Iran-Israel tensions underscores the evolving nature of warfare and the importance of adapting defense strategies accordingly.