Terror Drones, Challenges Ahead

Drones in India are still at a nascent stage, and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) — the nodal head to grant permission for drones in India — is likely to bring amendments in the new laws to check the misuse of drones by terror elements.

Hyderabad: Days after two explosive-laden drones targeted and damaged the Indian Air Force (IAF) station in Jammu, New Delhi has raised serious concerns over the use of weaponized drones for terrorist activities against strategic and commercial assets, at the United Nations General Assembly Conference on Global Terrorism.

India has called for immediate action from member states. "We have witnessed terrorists using unmanned aerial systems to smuggle weapons across borders," Special Secretary (Internal Security) VSK Kaumudi said, adding, “Already, cryptocurrencies, virtual assets, crowdfunding platforms are helping terror financing, owing to anonymity and un-traceability of these technologies."

Pakistan-based terrorists using drones against India's defence facilities may be just the beginning, but terrorists have been using drones against specific targets since late last century. According to Association of the United States Army, between 1994 and 2018, there were more than 14 terrorist attacks where aerial drones were used.

The rapid acceleration of drone technology is being driven by the unexpected rise in global drone sales to $43 billion by 2024, up from $14.1 billion in 2018.

Radar has been for centuries the only means of long-range detection. For drones, detection can occur at up to 3 km and within line of sight. Sophisticated radars can detect low-flying and small drones. Yet most radar systems are incapable of differentiating between a bird and a small drone.

"Advanced millimeter-wave radar systems, however, can make this distinction by detecting the spin of the drone’s rotor blades," writes Major Thomas G. Pledger, currently serving in the Secretary of Defense Strategic Thinkers Program at Johns Hopkins’ School of Advanced International Studies in Washington, DC.

With terrorists becoming more tech-savvy and get funds via crowd funding the days ahead will be definitely more challenging to counter the advanced drones. The international community needs to stand up to the sudden and unpredictable provocation from terrorists.

As for the drones in India it is still at a nascent stage, and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) -- the nodal head to grant permission for drones in India -- may bring amendments in the new laws to check the misuse of drones by terror elements.