UPSC GS Paper – 3: Q10. The use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) by our adversaries across the borders to ferry arms / ammunitions, drugs, etc., is a serious threat to internal security. Comment on the measures being taken to tackle this threat.

Gaurav Soni September 30, 2023 04:13 7398 0

Drone Threat to India's Security! How adversaries use UAVs to smuggle weapons & drugs. Explore countermeasures for UPSC.

UPSC GS Paper – 3: Q10. The use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) by our adversaries across the borders to ferry arms / ammunitions, drugs, etc., is a serious threat to internal security. Comment on the measures being taken to tackle this threat.

Q10. The use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) by our adversaries across the borders to ferry arms / ammunitions, drugs, etc., is a serious threat to internal security. Comment on the measures being taken to tackle this threat.

How to approach the question

Introduction

●      Write about the use of UAVs for nefarious purposes briefly

Body

●      Write how the use of UAVs by our adversaries across the borders poses serious threat to the internal security

●      Write the measures being taken to tackle this threat

●      Write issues faced by these measures

●      Write suitable way ahead in this regard

Conclusion

●      Give appropriate conclusion in this regard

Introduction

Recent attack on the Indian Air Force (IAF) base in Jammu was attacked using two low-intensity improvised explosive devices (IEDs) create concern of use of UAV in border areas.  An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is an aircraft that carries no human pilot or passengers. In recent times, the utilization of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) or drones for illicit activities including the smuggling of arms, ammunition, and drugs across borders has emerged as a significant threat to internal security for India, raising a series of challenges for the national security apparatus.

Body

Use of UAVs by our adversaries across the borders poses serious threat to the internal security as

  • Facilitation of Terrorism: There have been instances where UAVs were suspected to drop arms and ammunition in Punjab near the India-Pakistan border, raising alarms about how they could equip militant groups within India.
  • Drug Trafficking: Drones have been intercepted for carrying narcotics across the India-Pakistan border, exacerbating the existing drug abuse problem in states like Punjab.
  • Surveillance and Espionage: UAVs have been sighted on multiple occasions in Jammu and Kashmir. These aerial vehicles could be used to gather intelligence on troop movement and sensitive installations, echoing espionage risks.
  • Safety Hazards: UAVs also pose a risk to civilian aircraft. For example, Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport had a scare when a drone was spotted flying dangerously close to a commercial airline in 2017.
  • Economic Implications: The economic impact of UAVs ferrying counterfeit goods or smuggling expensive materials could undermine local economies and affect public health, as seen with the illegal transportation of tobacco products in some border areas.
  • Psychosocial Impact: The presence of UAVs, especially near conflict zones like the Line of Control in the J&K, increases stress and anxiety among the local population. Reports of drone activities in these regions have led to increased public fear and anxiety over potential attacks.

Measures Taken to Tackle This Threat

  • Anti-Drone Technologies: India’s DRDO has been developing anti-drone technologies capable of jamming or disabling rogue UAVs. These were notably deployed during the 2020 Republic Day celebrations in Delhi as a preventive measure.
  • Intelligence Sharing: India collaborates with agencies like Interpol and intelligence units from friendly nations to monitor potential UAV threats. For example, India and the United States have held discussions on intelligence sharing concerning UAV activities.
  • Legal Framework: The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has issued guidelines that lay down the legal framework for operating UAVs. Offenders can face imprisonment, illustrating the gravity of UAV-related offenses.
  • Research and Development: DRDO is investing in cutting-edge technologies such as “soft kill” measures that can disable UAVs electronically without causing collateral damage. This is part of India’s broader initiative to develop indigenous technologies to counter UAV threats.
  • Training and Capacity Building: Special units within the military and paramilitary forces are receiving specific training on countering UAV threats. The NSG (National Security Guard) and CRPF (Central Reserve Police Force) are among them.
  • Collaboration with Tech Companies: The Indian government is collaborating with tech companies like Tata and Reliance to develop geo-fencing technologies that prevent UAVs from entering sensitive zones.
  • Community Engagement: Border communities are often involved in vigilance activities. Eg: In Punjab, local farmers have been encouraged to report any suspicious UAV sightings, acting as a grassroots-level security measure.

 Issues Faced by These Measures

  • Technological Limitations: Even with state-of-the-art systems like those developed by DRDO, technological limitations exist. Eg: small, low-flying drones can often escape detection by radar systems, as was the case in the 2019 drone attack on an oil facility in Saudi Arabia.
  • Coordination Issues: Effective response to UAV threats requires coordination between military, intelligence agencies, and local law enforcement. Gaps in coordination were evident during the 2016 Pathankot Airbase attack, exposing vulnerabilities that terrorists could exploit.
  • False Alarms: Systems are prone to false alarms, as seen in some international airports where bird movements triggered drone-detection systems, leading to temporary closures and resource drain.
  • Geographical Challenges: India’s diverse geography, from the Himalayas to the deserts of Rajasthan, makes uniform implementation of anti-drone measures complex. This was evident during a recent exercise in the Thar Desert, where sand and heat interfered with the equipment.
  • Cybersecurity: Any system connected to a network is susceptible to cyber-attacks. The risk was highlighted when Iran claimed to have hacked and captured an American UAV in 2011. This raises questions about the potential vulnerabilities in India’s anti-drone systems.

 

Suitable Way Ahead

  • Advanced Research: A concerted push for advanced research in anti-drone technology is crucial. The government could sponsor “Drone Defense X-Prizes,” similar to the Lunar X-Prize, to incentivize breakthroughs in drone detection and neutralization.
  • Collaborative Approaches: A “UAV Regulatory Sandbox” can be established, inviting tech companies, policy experts, and the general public to test and provide feedback on new drone regulations, ensuring that rules are practical and take multiple perspectives into account.
  • Industry Regulations: New laws could require UAV manufacturers to include “Geo-Fencing” features that prevent drones from entering restricted zones automatically. Such technology could be vetted and standardized by aviation authorities.
  • Capacity Building: Continuous training modules can be developed using Machine Learning algorithms that adapt to the evolving tactics employed by adversaries, ensuring that security forces are always a step ahead in countering threats.
  • Ethical Guidelines: An independent “Drone Ethics Board” can be established to review and issue guidelines on the ethical use of UAVs, especially concerning surveillance and data collection. It could include ethicists, lawyers, technologists, and community representatives.
  • Youth Engagement: National-level hackathons and “Drone Innovation Camps” can be organized for young tech enthusiasts to brainstorm and develop new anti-drone technologies. The best ideas could be funded for further research and development by government or private agencies.

Conclusion

As the illicit use of UAVs by adversaries poses a multifaceted threat to India’s internal security, a forward-looking, collaborative, and multi-pronged strategy remains essential. By adopting these innovative approaches, India can not only effectively counter the growing drone-related security threats but also foster a balanced and responsible use of this transformative technology.

 

 

For a Detailed explanation of the UPSC GS-01 Mains question 2023, click here.

For a Detailed explanation of the UPSC GS-02 Mains question 2023, click here.

For a Detailed explanation of the UPSC GS-03 Mains question 2023, click here.

For a Detailed explanation of the UPSC GS-04 Mains question 2023, click here.

 

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