A deadly new weapon ‘Dragon Drones’ has taken to the skies in the Russia-Ukraine war. 

What are Dragon Drones?

• They are drones that release thermite that burns at 2,427°C.
  • Thermite: It is a mixture of aluminum and iron oxide which on ignition by an electric fuse triggers a self-sustaining reaction that is difficult to extinguish.
  • It was Developed a century ago to weld railroad tracks.
• This molten metal is capable of burning through almost anything, including vehicles, trees, and even underwater objects, causing severe burns and damage to humans.
• The drones carry and release thermite with high precision, bypassing traditional defenses.

Historical Use of Thermite in War

• World Wars: Thermite was used in WWI by German zeppelins and in WWII by both Allied and Axis forces for aerial bombing.
• Modern Use: Thermite is now often employed in covert operations due to its intense but silent burn.

Enroll now for UPSC Online Classes

Legality of Thermite in Weapons

• The use of thermite isn’t banned under international law but using incendiary weapons against civilian targets is prohibited under Protocol III of the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons.
• It can only be deployed against strictly military targets to minimise collateral damage.