India has highlighted how terrorists are using drones as a "low-cost option" at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on Monday. The development comes even as, over the weekend, drones were used to mount an attack on the technical area of the Jammu Air Force Station. 
&nbsp; 
Speaking at the United Nations General Assembly, V S K Kaumudi, Special Secretary (Internal Security), Ministry of Home Affairs said, "Another add-on to existing worries is the use of drones", explaining that they are a "low-cost option and easily available." The utilisation of these aerial/sub-surface platforms for sinister purposes by terrorist groups, such as intelligence collection, weapon/explosives delivery and targeted attacks" has become an "imminent danger and challenge for security agencies worldwide." 
&nbsp; 
Kaumudi pointed out, "The possibility of the use of weaponized drones for terrorist purposes against strategic and commercial assets calls for serious attention by the member states", adding, "We have witnessed terrorists using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) to smuggle weapons across borders." 
&nbsp; 
He was addressing the second High-Level Conference of the Heads of the Counter-Terrorism Agencies of the Member States. 
 
The use of drones during the Jammu incident was the first-ever use of drones in an attack in India. The attack led to "two low-intensity explosions" and "minor damage to the roof of a building", according to the Indian Air Force. Since then, there have been more cases of drones being spotted.

This is not the first time India has expressed its worries over drones. At last week's SCO NSA meeting, NSA Ajit Doval raised the issue of the need to monitor new technologies used by terrorists, such as drones for weapon smuggling.

The Indian official slammed Pakistan during his address. He said, "It is high time that the international community called upon Pakistan to take effective, verifiable, and irreversible actions against terror outfits operating on the territory under its control and not take the high road of morality, which is only laden with mines of falsehood."

India has highlighted how terrorists are using drones as a "low-cost option" at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on Monday. The development comes even as, over the weekend, drones were used to mount an attack on the technical area of the Jammu Air Force Station.

India has highlighted how terrorists are using drones as a "low-cost option" at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on Monday. The development comes even as, over the weekend, drones were used to mount an attack on the technical area of the Jammu Air Force Station. Speaking at the United Nations General Assembly, V S K Kaumudi, Special Secretary (Internal Security), Ministry of Home Affairs said, "Another add-on to existing worries is the use of drones", explaining that they are a "low-cost option and easily available." The utilisation of these aerial/sub-surface platforms for sinister purposes by terrorist groups, such as intelligence collection, weapon/explosives delivery and targeted attacks" has become an "imminent danger and challenge for security agencies worldwide." Kaumudi pointed out, "The possibility of the use of weaponized drones for terrorist purposes against strategic and commercial assets calls for serious attention by the member states", adding, "We have witnessed terrorists using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) to smuggle weapons across borders." He was addressing the second High-Level Conference of the Heads of the Counter-Terrorism Agencies of the Member States. The use of drones during the Jammu incident was the first-ever use of drones in an attack in India. The attack led to "two low-intensity explosions" and "minor damage to the roof of a building", according to the Indian Air Force. Since then, there have been more cases of drones being spotted. This is not the first time India has expressed its worries over drones. At last week's SCO NSA meeting, NSA Ajit Doval raised the issue of the need to monitor new technologies used by terrorists, such as drones for weapon smuggling. The Indian official slammed Pakistan during his address. He said, "It is high time that the international community called upon Pakistan to take effective, verifiable, and irreversible actions against terror outfits operating on the territory under its control and not take the high road of morality, which is only laden with mines of falsehood."

'Use of drones by terror groups an add-on to worries': India at UNGA

China has been deploying unmanned technologies on a large scale in the past few years with the PLA providing high tech support. Reports say Chinese military researchers may have found a way to land&nbsp;hypersonic drone which travels at over five times the speed of sound.

According to reports, China's Dai Fei along with his colleagues from the People's Liberation Army Air Force&nbsp;have made improvements on the classified model of the hypersonic drones.

The improvements have reportedly been made on the air-launched, high-speed DR-8 or Wuzhen 8&nbsp;unmanned drone which China had unveiled during its National Day military parade in 2019. The exact nature of the tactical changes are however unknown.

Watch:

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The Chinese military has reportedly developed the software connected to the complicated process of landing the hypersonic drone which travels at Mach 5 speed.&nbsp;

Hypersonic drones can reportedly be used against American F-22 and F-35 stealth aircraft. China possesses the GJ-1 and GJ-2 armed reconnaissance drones which it had reportedly deployed along the Line of Actual Control(LAC).

The GJ-1 and GJ-2 drones are part of China's Wing Loong I and Wing Loong II systems capable of striking targets with the capability to launch small air-to-ground missiles.

GJ-2 is reportedly a remotely controlled drone used for surveillance including striking enemy targets. China has been ramping up its drone programme for several years and has even exported&nbsp;them. The country's Rainbow military drones were eyed by several countries including Saudi Arabia, Iraq and other nations.

China's drone technology still is no match for the US Predator drone with sophisticated hunter-killer capability and deadly Hellfire missiles. However, PLARF's&nbsp;recent innovation in drone technology may tilt the balance in China's favour.&nbsp;

The Chinese defence force had earlier unveiled the road-mobile DF-41 intercontinental ballistic missile and JL-2 submarine-launched ballistic missile at Beijing's Tiananmen Square showcasing the country's nuclear deterrence capability.

(With inputs from Agencies)

China has been deploying unmanned technologies on a large scale in the past few years with the PLA providing high tech support. Reports say Chinese military researchers may have found a way to land hypersonic drone which travels at over five times the speed of sound.

China has been deploying unmanned technologies on a large scale in the past few years with the PLA providing high tech support. Reports say Chinese military researchers may have found a way to land hypersonic drone which travels at over five times the speed of sound. According to reports, China's Dai Fei along with his colleagues from the People's Liberation Army Air Force have made improvements on the classified model of the hypersonic drones. The improvements have reportedly been made on the air-launched, high-speed DR-8 or Wuzhen 8 unmanned drone which China had unveiled during its National Day military parade in 2019. The exact nature of the tactical changes are however unknown. Watch: The Chinese military has reportedly developed the software connected to the complicated process of landing the hypersonic drone which travels at Mach 5 speed. Hypersonic drones can reportedly be used against American F-22 and F-35 stealth aircraft. China possesses the GJ-1 and GJ-2 armed reconnaissance drones which it had reportedly deployed along the Line of Actual Control(LAC). The GJ-1 and GJ-2 drones are part of China's Wing Loong I and Wing Loong II systems capable of striking targets with the capability to launch small air-to-ground missiles. GJ-2 is reportedly a remotely controlled drone used for surveillance including striking enemy targets. China has been ramping up its drone programme for several years and has even exported them. The country's Rainbow military drones were eyed by several countries including Saudi Arabia, Iraq and other nations. China's drone technology still is no match for the US Predator drone with sophisticated hunter-killer capability and deadly Hellfire missiles. However, PLARF's recent innovation in drone technology may tilt the balance in China's favour. The Chinese defence force had earlier unveiled the road-mobile DF-41 intercontinental ballistic missile and JL-2 submarine-launched ballistic missile at Beijing's Tiananmen Square showcasing the country's nuclear deterrence capability. (With inputs from Agencies)

Chinese military presents classified evidence on how to land hypersonic drone: Report

The Indian government has announced the new Drone Rules 2021. These new rules are the latest progressive ones that will significantly transform the Indian landscape for drones.

World Business Watch: Indian govt notifies new drone rules

According to the&nbsp;defence&nbsp;establishment, the area falling under&nbsp;three&nbsp;km radius from the perimeter of naval installations in Tamil Nadu has been designated as a&nbsp;'No Fly Zone'. This means that individuals/civil agencies are prohibited from flying non-conventional aerial objects,&nbsp;such as drones or unmanned aerial&nbsp;vehicles&nbsp;(UAVs) without any prior permission.&nbsp;&nbsp;

In a stern warning, it has been stated that “The Indian Navy will destroy or confiscate any non-conventional aerial object including drones or unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) found flying without proper approval.&nbsp; Further, the operator found violating these orders will be charged under the provisions of Indian Penal Code.”&nbsp;

It was added that the approval for using drones by any operator/government agency is governed by the guidelines issued by Ministry of Home&nbsp;Affairs&nbsp;(MHA). In case of an approved, scheduled flying operation, the approval from Director General Civil Aviation (DGCA) is to be obtained through Digi Sky Website, and a copy of the approval letter is to be submitted to Headquarter Tamil Nadu &amp; Puducherry Naval Area/ Staff Officer (Security) and concerned Naval Station at least a week prior to the flying operation.&nbsp;&nbsp;

In July, the areas falling within&nbsp;three&nbsp;km radius of the perimeter of Indian Naval Air Station INS&nbsp;Rajali&nbsp;in&nbsp;Arakkonam, Tamil Nadu were designated as&nbsp;'No Fly&nbsp;Zone'A&nbsp;similar warning regarding the confiscation and destruction of the UAV/drone and legal action against the violators was&nbsp;emphasised&nbsp;upon, back then.&nbsp;&nbsp;

It is understood that this warning gains significance, given the recent terror attacks on&nbsp;defence&nbsp;facilities in Jammu and Kashmir, using explosive laden drones. These mini flying machines pose a significant threat as they can be launched from anywhere, in a short notice and can cause damage to life and property.&nbsp;

According to the defence establishment, the area falling under three km radius from the perimeter of naval installations in Tamil Nadu has been designated as a 'No Fly Zone'.

According to the defence establishment, the area falling under three km radius from the perimeter of naval installations in Tamil Nadu has been designated as a 'No Fly Zone'. This means that individuals/civil agencies are prohibited from flying non-conventional aerial objects, such as drones or unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) without any prior permission. In a stern warning, it has been stated that “The Indian Navy will destroy or confiscate any non-conventional aerial object including drones or unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) found flying without proper approval. Further, the operator found violating these orders will be charged under the provisions of Indian Penal Code.” It was added that the approval for using drones by any operator/government agency is governed by the guidelines issued by Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). In case of an approved, scheduled flying operation, the approval from Director General Civil Aviation (DGCA) is to be obtained through Digi Sky Website, and a copy of the approval letter is to be submitted to Headquarter Tamil Nadu & Puducherry Naval Area/ Staff Officer (Security) and concerned Naval Station at least a week prior to the flying operation. In July, the areas falling within three km radius of the perimeter of Indian Naval Air Station INS Rajali in Arakkonam, Tamil Nadu were designated as 'No Fly Zone'A similar warning regarding the confiscation and destruction of the UAV/drone and legal action against the violators was emphasised upon, back then. It is understood that this warning gains significance, given the recent terror attacks on defence facilities in Jammu and Kashmir, using explosive laden drones. These mini flying machines pose a significant threat as they can be launched from anywhere, in a short notice and can cause damage to life and property.

3 km area surrounding naval installations turns 'No Fly Zone' in Tamil Nadu  

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Gravitas: Drones are transforming modern warfare

India has raised the issue of drones being used for terror activities at the UN. It came days after explosions at Air Force Station in Jammu with the help of low-flying drones. India said the use of weaponised drones for terrorism needs serious attention.

India raises Jammu air base attack at UN, says drones are being used for terror activities

Alert Army troops fired at two drones found hovering over the Ratnuchak-Kaluchak military areas, a defence spokesperson said on Monday, a day after two drones dropped bombs at an IAF station. &nbsp;&nbsp;

One drone was spotted at 11.45 pm on Sunday night and the other at 2.40 am, the officials said. Both drones 'flew away' after alert sentries fired at them. &nbsp;&nbsp;

He said a high alert was sounded immediately and Quick Reaction Teams engaged the drones with firing, Jammu-based Army PRO Lt Col Devender Anand said in a statement here. &nbsp;&nbsp;

"Both drones flew away. A major threat was thwarted by the alertness and proactive approach of troops," he said, adding the security forces are on high alert and a search operation is in progress. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Earlier, official sources said that the sentries had swiftly opened fire on noticing the drones to bring them down. &nbsp;&nbsp;

They said the whole area outside the military station was cordoned off immediately and a massive search operation was going on when the last reports were received. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Nothing objectionable was found on the ground, the sources said. &nbsp;&nbsp;

The latest incident comes barely a day after a drone, in a first-of-its kind strike, dropped two bombs at Indian Air Force (IAF) station here, causing minor injuries to two personnel.

Alert Army troops fired at two drones found hovering over the Ratnuchak-Kaluchak military areas, a defence spokesperson said on Monday, a day after two drones dropped bombs at an IAF station.

Alert Army troops fired at two drones found hovering over the Ratnuchak-Kaluchak military areas, a defence spokesperson said on Monday, a day after two drones dropped bombs at an IAF station. One drone was spotted at 11.45 pm on Sunday night and the other at 2.40 am, the officials said. Both drones 'flew away' after alert sentries fired at them. He said a high alert was sounded immediately and Quick Reaction Teams engaged the drones with firing, Jammu-based Army PRO Lt Col Devender Anand said in a statement here. "Both drones flew away. A major threat was thwarted by the alertness and proactive approach of troops," he said, adding the security forces are on high alert and a search operation is in progress. Earlier, official sources said that the sentries had swiftly opened fire on noticing the drones to bring them down. They said the whole area outside the military station was cordoned off immediately and a massive search operation was going on when the last reports were received. Nothing objectionable was found on the ground, the sources said. The latest incident comes barely a day after a drone, in a first-of-its kind strike, dropped two bombs at Indian Air Force (IAF) station here, causing minor injuries to two personnel.

Army opens fire at two drones found hovering over Ratnuchak-Kaluchak military areas  

An attack inside the Air Force base in Jammu on Sunday was carried out using two drones, according to reports. "There is no damage to any aircraft in the blasts.

An attack inside the Air Force base in Jammu on Sunday was carried out using two drones, according to reports. "There is no damage to any aircraft in the blasts. Two personnel suffered minor injuries," the reports said citing sources. Damage caused due to explosions by the drones at the Jammu airbase at 1.27am and 1.32 am today. Initial inputs suggest that shaped charge (explosive device) used for the explosions: Sources pic.twitter.com/53euEdNpfD — ANI (@ANI) June 27, 2021 × The Indian Air Force (IAF) said the two low-intensity explosions were reported early Sunday morning in the technical area of Jammu Air Force Station. One of the blasts caused minor damage to the roof of a building. The other took place in an open area. There was no damage to any equipment, the IAF said. #WATCH | Bomb Disposal Squad rushed to the explosion site in Jammu airport's technical area pic.twitter.com/K5XOy7hnDC — ANI (@ANI) June 27, 2021 × An investigation into the matter is ongoing along with civil agencies, it added. A high-level investigation team of the Indian Air Force (IAF) will reach Jammu shortly. The possible target of the drones was the aircraft parked in the dispersal area. Also, the sources have revealed that the Western Air Commander Air Marshal VR Chaudhary will pay a visit to the Jammu airbase to review the ground situation. He would be briefed by the Indian Air Force officials on the incident.

Two drones used to carry out attack on Jammu Air Force base: Reports

Iranian state media quoted a top commander of the Revolutionary Guards as saying that the country has drones with a range of 7000 km (4,375 miles). The development may be seen by the USA as a threat to regional stability.

"We have unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) with long range of 7,000 kilometres. They can fly, return home, and make landing wherever they are planned to," the Guards commander-in-chief Hossein Salami was quoted as saying by state news agency IRNA.

The assertion has come as Iran and six major world powers are in talks to revive 2015 Iran nuclear deal. Former US President Donald Trump had unilaterally withdrawn US from the deal and reimposed sanctions on Iran.

As per Western military analysts, Iran sometimes exaggerates its capabilities. However, drones are a key element in Iran's borders surveillance

Iran and regional forces it backs have increasingly relied on drones in Yemen, Syria, Iraq in recent years

US President Joe Biden is seeking to revive and eventually broaden the nuclear pact to put greater limits on Iran's nuclear and missile programmes, as well as constraining its activities.

Tehran has ruled out negotiations over ballistic missiles and its role in the Middle East, where Sh'ite-led Iran and Sunni Saudi Arabia have been involved in proxy wars.

(With inputs from agencies)

Iranian state media quoted a top commander of the Revolutionary Guards as saying that the country has drones with a range of 7000 km (4,375 miles). The development may be seen by the USA as a threat to regional stability.

Iranian state media quoted a top commander of the Revolutionary Guards as saying that the country has drones with a range of 7000 km (4,375 miles). The development may be seen by the USA as a threat to regional stability. "We have unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) with long range of 7,000 kilometres. They can fly, return home, and make landing wherever they are planned to," the Guards commander-in-chief Hossein Salami was quoted as saying by state news agency IRNA. The assertion has come as Iran and six major world powers are in talks to revive 2015 Iran nuclear deal. Former US President Donald Trump had unilaterally withdrawn US from the deal and reimposed sanctions on Iran. As per Western military analysts, Iran sometimes exaggerates its capabilities. However, drones are a key element in Iran's borders surveillance Iran and regional forces it backs have increasingly relied on drones in Yemen, Syria, Iraq in recent years US President Joe Biden is seeking to revive and eventually broaden the nuclear pact to put greater limits on Iran's nuclear and missile programmes, as well as constraining its activities. Tehran has ruled out negotiations over ballistic missiles and its role in the Middle East, where Sh'ite-led Iran and Sunni Saudi Arabia have been involved in proxy wars. (With inputs from agencies)

We have drones with 7,000 km range, says Iran's top commander

The Indian Air Force (IAF) said the two low-intensity explosions were reported early Sunday morning in the technical area of Jammu Air Force Station.

Jammu Airbase Blasts: Drones used to drop explosives

Three drones hit near Iraqi city of Arbil on Saturday. The city has a US consulate. As per a Iraqi Kurdish official, the drones were laden with explosives.

The attack came just before Hashed al-Shabbi, a pro-Iranian paramilitary alliance, held a military parade near Baghdad. The paramilitary alliance is opposed to US presence in Iraq.

The drone attack took place overnight. Anti-terrorist unit in Kurdistan said, two drones struck a house and caused damage. The payload on the third drone didn't explode.

The US consulate condemned the assault in a tweet, saying "this attack represents a clear violation of Iraqi sovereignty".

US interests in Iraq have come under repeated attacks in recent months but the use of drones is a relatively new tactic.

The United States consistently blames Iran-linked Iraqi factions for rocket and other attacks against Iraqi installations housing its personnel.

Since the start of the year there have been 43 attacks against US interests in Iraq, where 2,500 American troops are deployed as part of an international coalition to fight the jihadist Islamic State group.

The vast majority have been bombs against logistics convoys, while 14 were rocket attacks, some of them claimed by pro-Iran factions that aim to pressure Washington into withdrawing all their troops.

In April, a drone packed with explosives hit the coalition's Iraq headquarters in the military part of the airport in Arbil, the Iraqi Kurdish regional capital.

The tactic poses a headache for the coalition, as drones can evade air defences.

In May a drone packed with explosives hit the Ain Al-Asad air base housing US troops.

On June 9 three explosives-laden drones targeted Baghdad airport, where US soldiers are also deployed. One was intercepted by the Iraqi army.

(With agency inputs)

Three drones hit near Iraqi city of Arbil on Saturday. The city has a US consulate. As per a Iraqi Kurdish official, the drones were laden with explosives. The attack came just before Hashed al-Shabbi, a pro-Iranian paramilitary alliance, held a military parade near Baghdad.

Three drones hit near Iraqi city of Arbil on Saturday. The city has a US consulate. As per a Iraqi Kurdish official, the drones were laden with explosives. The attack came just before Hashed al-Shabbi, a pro-Iranian paramilitary alliance, held a military parade near Baghdad. The paramilitary alliance is opposed to US presence in Iraq. The drone attack took place overnight. Anti-terrorist unit in Kurdistan said, two drones struck a house and caused damage. The payload on the third drone didn't explode. The US consulate condemned the assault in a tweet, saying "this attack represents a clear violation of Iraqi sovereignty". US interests in Iraq have come under repeated attacks in recent months but the use of drones is a relatively new tactic. The United States consistently blames Iran-linked Iraqi factions for rocket and other attacks against Iraqi installations housing its personnel. Since the start of the year there have been 43 attacks against US interests in Iraq, where 2,500 American troops are deployed as part of an international coalition to fight the jihadist Islamic State group. The vast majority have been bombs against logistics convoys, while 14 were rocket attacks, some of them claimed by pro-Iran factions that aim to pressure Washington into withdrawing all their troops. In April, a drone packed with explosives hit the coalition's Iraq headquarters in the military part of the airport in Arbil, the Iraqi Kurdish regional capital. The tactic poses a headache for the coalition, as drones can evade air defences. In May a drone packed with explosives hit the Ain Al-Asad air base housing US troops. On June 9 three explosives-laden drones targeted Baghdad airport, where US soldiers are also deployed. One was intercepted by the Iraqi army. (With agency inputs)

Explosives-laden drones strike near Iraq's Arbil

We all know how useful drones can be. They are used for mapping, for search and rescue operations, and even to deliver essentials like medical kits in remote areas. Their potential is limitless. And now, they are also being used to save animals.

Tech It Out: Rescuing hundreds of animals using drones

Iraqi military said on Sunday that air defences at Iraq's Ain al-Asad air base that hosts US&nbsp;forces, intercepted and shot down two drones. 
 
The military said in a statement the drones were intercepted and shot down at a round 12:30 am&nbsp;local time. 
 
On May 8, an attack by an unmanned aerial surveillance system targeted Iraq’s Ain al-Asad air base, but it caused no injuries. 
 
There was no immediate claim of responsibility for Sunday's attack. Armed groups that some Iraqi officials say are backed by Iran have claimed responsibility for similar incidents in the past. 
 
A separate rocket attack late on Saturday targeted the area of the Baghdad International Airport which also hosts US&nbsp;forces, two Iraqi security sources said. There were no reported damages or casualties, they said. 
 
Iraqi security forces found a rocket launcher with a timer in a rural area in western Baghdad which was used in the attack, said one security official.

Iraqi military said on Sunday that air defences at Iraq's Ain al-Asad air base that hosts US forces, intercepted and shot down two drones. The military said in a statement the drones were intercepted and shot down at a round 12:30 am local time.

Iraqi military said on Sunday that air defences at Iraq's Ain al-Asad air base that hosts US forces, intercepted and shot down two drones. The military said in a statement the drones were intercepted and shot down at a round 12:30 am local time. On May 8, an attack by an unmanned aerial surveillance system targeted Iraq’s Ain al-Asad air base, but it caused no injuries. There was no immediate claim of responsibility for Sunday's attack. Armed groups that some Iraqi officials say are backed by Iran have claimed responsibility for similar incidents in the past. A separate rocket attack late on Saturday targeted the area of the Baghdad International Airport which also hosts US forces, two Iraqi security sources said. There were no reported damages or casualties, they said. Iraqi security forces found a rocket launcher with a timer in a rural area in western Baghdad which was used in the attack, said one security official.

Two drones intercepted, shot down over Iraqi air base: Military

Are killer robots the next threat faced by humanity? A United Nations report claims that a killer drone trailed and attacked&nbsp;a human being without directives to do the same.

In 2018, the United Nations had urged countries to ban killer robots. But the plea was shot down. &nbsp;The recent&nbsp;report by UN Security Council’s Panel of Experts on Libya claims that “an autonomous weaponized drone&nbsp;hunted down a human target last year”.

The report was published in March 2021 in the&nbsp;New Scientist and foretells the dangers posed by militarised technology capable of making autonomous decisions. The attack in question was perpetrated by "Kargu-2", a quadcopter drone made by STM, a Turkish military technology company.

How did the robot attack humans?

The mishap occurred during a conflict between the government forces of Libya and a faction led by Khalifa Haftar, the commander of Libyan National Army, The Star reported.

Reportedly, the Kargu-2 is in-built with an explosive charge and can be used for kamikaze attacks.

The drones were running on an autonomous mode which required no human moderation, for such weapons system do not require data connectivity between the “operator&nbsp;and the munition”. This essentially implies that the killer robots made the decision to attack independently.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/30-countries-support-explicit-ban-on-killer-robots-report-319636" hreflang="en">30 countries support explicit ban on 'killer robots': Report</a>

What does the world say?

But many experts believe that the drone’s ability to attack humans points to the dangers posed by such autonomous weapon technology. In 2020, Human Rights Watch urged caution with such technology and implored countries to legislate against killer robots.&nbsp;30 countries backed the plan to fully ban autonomous weapons, or as they’re more commonly called - “killer robots”, a report by Human Rights Watch released in August 2020 revealed.

According to the report titled "Stopping Killer Robots: Country Positions on Banning Fully Autonomous Weapons and Retaining Human Control”, more and more countries are acknowledging the need to stop “killer robots”, formally categorised as lethal autonomous weapon system.

A coalition of 161 non-governmental organisations including the HRW has been pleading for a complete ban on such weapons since 2013.

"Weapons&nbsp;systems that select and engage targets without meaningful human control are unacceptable and need to be prevented," HRW said.

Are killer robots the next threat faced by humanity? A United Nations report claims that a killer drone trailed and attacked a human being without directives to do the same.

Are killer robots the next threat faced by humanity? A United Nations report claims that a killer drone trailed and attacked a human being without directives to do the same. In 2018, the United Nations had urged countries to ban killer robots. But the plea was shot down. The recent report by UN Security Council’s Panel of Experts on Libya claims that “an autonomous weaponized drone hunted down a human target last year”. The report was published in March 2021 in the New Scientist and foretells the dangers posed by militarised technology capable of making autonomous decisions. The attack in question was perpetrated by "Kargu-2", a quadcopter drone made by STM, a Turkish military technology company. How did the robot attack humans? The mishap occurred during a conflict between the government forces of Libya and a faction led by Khalifa Haftar, the commander of Libyan National Army, The Star reported. Reportedly, the Kargu-2 is in-built with an explosive charge and can be used for kamikaze attacks. The drones were running on an autonomous mode which required no human moderation, for such weapons system do not require data connectivity between the “operator and the munition”. This essentially implies that the killer robots made the decision to attack independently. Also read: 30 countries support explicit ban on 'killer robots': Report What does the world say? But many experts believe that the drone’s ability to attack humans points to the dangers posed by such autonomous weapon technology. In 2020, Human Rights Watch urged caution with such technology and implored countries to legislate against killer robots. 30 countries backed the plan to fully ban autonomous weapons, or as they’re more commonly called - “killer robots”, a report by Human Rights Watch released in August 2020 revealed. According to the report titled "Stopping Killer Robots: Country Positions on Banning Fully Autonomous Weapons and Retaining Human Control”, more and more countries are acknowledging the need to stop “killer robots”, formally categorised as lethal autonomous weapon system. A coalition of 161 non-governmental organisations including the HRW has been pleading for a complete ban on such weapons since 2013. "Weapons systems that select and engage targets without meaningful human control are unacceptable and need to be prevented," HRW said.

First instance of 'killer robot' attacking human without orders recorded in Libya: UN report

Poland will buy 24 armed drones from Turkey, the Polish defence minister said on Saturday, becoming the first NATO member to buy Turkish-made unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).&nbsp;

The Bayraktar TB2 drones, the first of which are due to be delivered next year, will be armed with anti-tank projectiles. Poland will also buy a logistics and training package, said Defence Minister Mariusz Blaszczak.&nbsp;

Blaszczak told state radio the Bayraktar TB2 drones 'have proven themselves in wars' and added that the UAVs would be serviced by a military company, without giving further details.&nbsp;

The contract, which will be concluded without a procurement process, will be signed next week during a visit by Polish President Andrzej Duda to Turkey.&nbsp;

Authorities in fellow NATO member Turkey say the country has become the world's fourth-largest drone producer since President Tayyip Erdogan increased domestic production to reduce reliance on Western arms.&nbsp;

Turkish defence technology company Baykar has sold its Bayraktar TB2 armed drone to Azerbaijan, Ukraine, Qatar and Libya. Erdogan said in March that Saudi Arabia was also interested in buying Turkish drones.&nbsp;

Canada scrapped export permits for drone technology to Turkey in April, after concluding that the equipment was used by Azeri forces fighting Armenia in the enclave of Nagorno-Karabakh. The parts under embargo included camera systems for Baykar armed drones.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies) &nbsp;

Poland will buy 24 armed drones from Turkey, the Polish defence minister said on Saturday, becoming the first NATO member to buy Turkish-made unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).

Poland will buy 24 armed drones from Turkey, the Polish defence minister said on Saturday, becoming the first NATO member to buy Turkish-made unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The Bayraktar TB2 drones, the first of which are due to be delivered next year, will be armed with anti-tank projectiles. Poland will also buy a logistics and training package, said Defence Minister Mariusz Blaszczak. Blaszczak told state radio the Bayraktar TB2 drones 'have proven themselves in wars' and added that the UAVs would be serviced by a military company, without giving further details. The contract, which will be concluded without a procurement process, will be signed next week during a visit by Polish President Andrzej Duda to Turkey. Authorities in fellow NATO member Turkey say the country has become the world's fourth-largest drone producer since President Tayyip Erdogan increased domestic production to reduce reliance on Western arms. Turkish defence technology company Baykar has sold its Bayraktar TB2 armed drone to Azerbaijan, Ukraine, Qatar and Libya. Erdogan said in March that Saudi Arabia was also interested in buying Turkish drones. Canada scrapped export permits for drone technology to Turkey in April, after concluding that the equipment was used by Azeri forces fighting Armenia in the enclave of Nagorno-Karabakh. The parts under embargo included camera systems for Baykar armed drones. (With inputs from agencies)

Poland to become first NATO country to buy Turkish drones 

Drones are being perceived as the future in all spheres as technology continues to dictate our modes of living. Now, a staggering record was set in China after 3,281 drones took over the skies - displaying a camaraderie unseen before.

The drone show was also inducted in the Guinness World Record directory for using over 3,000 drones to put on a show, or in other words, for using the most number of “Unmanned Aerial Vehicles” in the air.

The event took place in Shanghai on March 29, and was undertaken by Genesis, a company owned by Hyundai. The previous record was held by Shenzhen Damoda Intelligent Control Technology for deploying 3,051 drones in September 2020.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/india-news/china-may-deploy-drones-on-border-with-india-367257" hreflang="en">China may deploy drones on border with India&nbsp;</a>

Watch the drone show below:

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ead2Efblvxk" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe>

Just a few days before that, a performance in Russia set the record with 2,200 drones.

Such events are possible by using a choreography software to guide drones into positions and moving them to form certain shapes.&nbsp;They’re also carefully positioned to avert collisions.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/india-news/china-deploying-en-masse-underwater-drones-in-indian-ocean-says-report-353749" hreflang="en">China deploying 'en masse' underwater drones in Indian Ocean, says report&nbsp;</a>

Intel also held the record briefly when it flew 2,066 drones in California in summer 2018.

Many big companies are using drones not only for advertising but for other purposes that form the core of their work. Some&nbsp;are attempting hands free delivery of goods through drones, including food and parcels.

Drones are being perceived as the future in all spheres as technology continues to dictate our modes of living. Now, a staggering record was set in China after 3,281 drones took over the skies - displaying a camaraderie unseen before.

Drones are being perceived as the future in all spheres as technology continues to dictate our modes of living. Now, a staggering record was set in China after 3,281 drones took over the skies - displaying a camaraderie unseen before. The drone show was also inducted in the Guinness World Record directory for using over 3,000 drones to put on a show, or in other words, for using the most number of “Unmanned Aerial Vehicles” in the air. The event took place in Shanghai on March 29, and was undertaken by Genesis, a company owned by Hyundai. The previous record was held by Shenzhen Damoda Intelligent Control Technology for deploying 3,051 drones in September 2020. Also read: China may deploy drones on border with India Watch the drone show below: Just a few days before that, a performance in Russia set the record with 2,200 drones. Such events are possible by using a choreography software to guide drones into positions and moving them to form certain shapes. They’re also carefully positioned to avert collisions. Also read: China deploying 'en masse' underwater drones in Indian Ocean, says report Intel also held the record briefly when it flew 2,066 drones in California in summer 2018. Many big companies are using drones not only for advertising but for other purposes that form the core of their work. Some are attempting hands free delivery of goods through drones, including food and parcels.

Over 3,000 drones take over skies in China setting a world record

The Saudi-led coalition battling Yemen's Houthi forces has destroyed two explosive-laden boats that the Iran-aligned group planned to use in an 'imminent' attack launched from the Red Sea port of Hodeidah, Saudi state media reported on Sunday.&nbsp;

The coalition in separate statements also said it intercepted and destroyed three armed drones launched towards southern Saudi Arabia, including the city of Khamis Mushait.&nbsp;

The Houthis, who ousted Yemen's internationally recognised government from the capital, Sanaa, and now hold most of north Yemen, have kept up missile and drone attacks on Saudi Arabia after Riyadh last week presented a new peace initiative.&nbsp;

US Special Envoy Tim Lenderking on Thursday returned to the region to push for the initiative, which includes a nationwide ceasefire.&nbsp;

The Houthis want the coalition to fully lift its sea and air blockade on areas the group controls.&nbsp;

The conflict, seen in the region as a proxy war between Saudi Arabia and Iran, has caused what the United Nations says is the world's largest humanitarian crisis.&nbsp;

The Houthis say they are fighting a corrupt system and foreign aggression.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

The Saudi-led coalition battling Yemen's Houthi forces has destroyed two explosive-laden boats that the Iran-aligned group planned to use in an 'imminent' attack launched from the Red Sea port of Hodeidah, Saudi state media reported on Sunday.

The Saudi-led coalition battling Yemen's Houthi forces has destroyed two explosive-laden boats that the Iran-aligned group planned to use in an 'imminent' attack launched from the Red Sea port of Hodeidah, Saudi state media reported on Sunday. The coalition in separate statements also said it intercepted and destroyed three armed drones launched towards southern Saudi Arabia, including the city of Khamis Mushait. The Houthis, who ousted Yemen's internationally recognised government from the capital, Sanaa, and now hold most of north Yemen, have kept up missile and drone attacks on Saudi Arabia after Riyadh last week presented a new peace initiative. US Special Envoy Tim Lenderking on Thursday returned to the region to push for the initiative, which includes a nationwide ceasefire. The Houthis want the coalition to fully lift its sea and air blockade on areas the group controls. The conflict, seen in the region as a proxy war between Saudi Arabia and Iran, has caused what the United Nations says is the world's largest humanitarian crisis. The Houthis say they are fighting a corrupt system and foreign aggression. (With inputs from agencies)

Saudi-led coalition destroys Houthi rigged boats, drones: Report 

If the Global Times is to be believed, Chinese experts feel larger, fixed-wing drones, such as the GJ-1 and GJ-2 armed reconnaissance drones, can be deployed along China's borders including the border with India. The idea in the from a proposal has been floated by a Chinese legislator Hou Yun, who also happens to be a commander with China's People's Liberation Army.&nbsp;

Hou serves with the PLA Tibet military command and believes China should deploy more advanced drones on the borders. So, on March 5, Hou plans to push a proposal before China's National People's Congress, the annual gathering of the Chinese Parliament.&nbsp;

The report by the Global Times has more insights. It says the PLA deployed drones during the India - China border standoff that began last year.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-chinese-lawmaker-wants-larger-drones-for-border-management-367259">WATCH |</a>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-chinese-lawmaker-wants-larger-drones-for-border-management-367259/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

So far, only small or medium sized drones have been in use but they have short endurance and are vulnerable to rain and they face challenges in reconnaissance missions during foggy weather conditions. &nbsp;

After pulling back troops from Pangong Tso, the Chinese press and social media platforms have been buzzing about Chinese drones and their capabilities.&nbsp;

Over the weekend, a drone maker in Shenzhen commended two employees claiming that they supported the Chinese troops during last year's border clash. The disclosure was part of an article shared on Wechat. It was taken down but the claims have been widely shared across the Chinese internet. The Chinese drone company claims its technology was used to conduct reconnaissance and that two of its employees, Zhao Bo and Shi Zhilong were present on the ground, embedded into the Chinese military units.&nbsp;

The Chinese military has been harnessing the drone technology for a while now. Last year in September, the Chinese press released this propaganda video claiming that drones were delivering food to the soldiers near the India-China border.&nbsp;

If the Global Times is to be believed, Chinese experts feel larger, fixed-wing drones, such as the GJ-1 and GJ-2 armed reconnaissance drones, can be deployed along China's borders including the border with India.

If the Global Times is to be believed, Chinese experts feel larger, fixed-wing drones, such as the GJ-1 and GJ-2 armed reconnaissance drones, can be deployed along China's borders including the border with India. The idea in the from a proposal has been floated by a Chinese legislator Hou Yun, who also happens to be a commander with China's People's Liberation Army. Hou serves with the PLA Tibet military command and believes China should deploy more advanced drones on the borders. So, on March 5, Hou plans to push a proposal before China's National People's Congress, the annual gathering of the Chinese Parliament. The report by the Global Times has more insights. It says the PLA deployed drones during the India - China border standoff that began last year. WATCH | So far, only small or medium sized drones have been in use but they have short endurance and are vulnerable to rain and they face challenges in reconnaissance missions during foggy weather conditions. After pulling back troops from Pangong Tso, the Chinese press and social media platforms have been buzzing about Chinese drones and their capabilities. Over the weekend, a drone maker in Shenzhen commended two employees claiming that they supported the Chinese troops during last year's border clash. The disclosure was part of an article shared on Wechat. It was taken down but the claims have been widely shared across the Chinese internet. The Chinese drone company claims its technology was used to conduct reconnaissance and that two of its employees, Zhao Bo and Shi Zhilong were present on the ground, embedded into the Chinese military units. The Chinese military has been harnessing the drone technology for a while now. Last year in September, the Chinese press released this propaganda video claiming that drones were delivering food to the soldiers near the India-China border.

China may deploy drones on border with India 

New Zealand's government said on Friday that it was backing a new project that uses drone technology to understand and protect the endangered Maui dolphins in the country.&nbsp;

Maui dolphins live in a small stretch of ocean off the west coast of New Zealand's North Island and current estimates suggest that only 63 dolphins older than one year remain, raising concerns that they may soon become extinct.&nbsp;

The new Maui Drone Project is a one-year collaboration between the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI), non-profit wildlife technology organisation MAUI63 and WWF-New Zealand.&nbsp;

The unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is capable of finding and tracking Maui dolphins using artificial intelligence.&nbsp;

The technology has the potential to compile detailed data on the habitats, population size and distribution and behaviour of the dolphins, along with many other types of marine species, such as other dolphins, seabirds, and whales, officials said.&nbsp;

"There has been unfortunately for many years disputes over how to best protect Maui dolphins," Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said after announcing the initiative, adding that the government has stepped in to fund the project and help protect the dolphins. "But we need everyone to come together."&nbsp;

Fishing companies Moana New Zealand and Sanford Limited are also supporting the project. The government has already moved to restrict fishing around the areas Maui dolphins frequent.&nbsp;

“By advancing our understanding of how Maui dolphins behave during the day and throughout the year this project will help us ensure the measures our Government has already put in place to protect our Maui dolphins are robust and appropriate,” said Oceans and Fisheries Minister David Parker.&nbsp;

The drone ensures dolphins remain undisturbed as they fly at an altitude of over 120 metres (394 feet).&nbsp;

(With agency inputs)&nbsp;

New Zealand's government said on Friday that it was backing a new project that uses drone technology to understand and protect the endangered Maui dolphins in the country.

New Zealand's government said on Friday that it was backing a new project that uses drone technology to understand and protect the endangered Maui dolphins in the country. Maui dolphins live in a small stretch of ocean off the west coast of New Zealand's North Island and current estimates suggest that only 63 dolphins older than one year remain, raising concerns that they may soon become extinct. The new Maui Drone Project is a one-year collaboration between the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI), non-profit wildlife technology organisation MAUI63 and WWF-New Zealand. The unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is capable of finding and tracking Maui dolphins using artificial intelligence. The technology has the potential to compile detailed data on the habitats, population size and distribution and behaviour of the dolphins, along with many other types of marine species, such as other dolphins, seabirds, and whales, officials said. "There has been unfortunately for many years disputes over how to best protect Maui dolphins," Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said after announcing the initiative, adding that the government has stepped in to fund the project and help protect the dolphins. "But we need everyone to come together." Fishing companies Moana New Zealand and Sanford Limited are also supporting the project. The government has already moved to restrict fishing around the areas Maui dolphins frequent. “By advancing our understanding of how Maui dolphins behave during the day and throughout the year this project will help us ensure the measures our Government has already put in place to protect our Maui dolphins are robust and appropriate,” said Oceans and Fisheries Minister David Parker. The drone ensures dolphins remain undisturbed as they fly at an altitude of over 120 metres (394 feet). (With agency inputs)

New Zealand backs drone project to protect endangered dolphins 

An American Airlines pilot on Sunday reportedly spotted an<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ufo-sighting-in-florida-triggers-wild-theories-including-trident-missile-test-362650"> Unidentified Flying Object</a>(UFO) over New Mexico, reports said.

Watch:

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-israeli-official-says-aliens-exist-348428/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The incident had reportedly occurred on February 21 as the American Airlines plane 2292 was flying over the northeastern region of New Mexico at 36,000 feet.

Reports claim the FBI is investigating the incident. The&nbsp;Airbus A320 allegedly identified a "cylindrical-shaped object", with the pilot claiming it "looked like a cruise missile type of thing - moving really fast right over the top of us."

Earlier this month, the Pentagon had admitted it was wreckage of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-agencies-have-less-than-6-months-to-reveal-what-they-know-about-ufos-355801">UFO </a>crashes, according to author Anthony Bragalia who had written to the US Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA).&nbsp;

The DIA reportedly released 154-page test results of a mysterious "memory" metal called Nitinol which remembers its original shape when folded, Bragalia claimed.

According to Bragalia, the documents revealed the tests were carried out by Bigelow Aerospace, a Las Vegas company which performs private contract for the Department of Defense.&nbsp;

The Pentagon had earlier said it was planning to form a new task force to investigate <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/black-vault-cia-allows-all-ufo-information-to-be-downloaded-ahead-of-deadline-356395">UFOs</a> that have been observed by US military aircraft as some experts claimed they may be drones seeking to potentially gather intelligence of adversaries.

Last year there were "hazard reports" detailing encounters between US Navy aircraft and "unidentified aerial phenomena" from the Navy Safety Center.

The reports describe the observed phenomena as "Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS)" -- the Pentagon's official terminology for drone aircraft.

An American Airlines pilot on Sunday reportedly spotted an Unidentified Flying Object(UFO) over New Mexico, reports said. Watch: The incident had reportedly occurred on February 21 as the American Airlines plane 2292 was flying over the northeastern region of New Mexico at 36,000 feet.

An American Airlines pilot on Sunday reportedly spotted an Unidentified Flying Object(UFO) over New Mexico, reports said. Watch: The incident had reportedly occurred on February 21 as the American Airlines plane 2292 was flying over the northeastern region of New Mexico at 36,000 feet. Reports claim the FBI is investigating the incident. The Airbus A320 allegedly identified a "cylindrical-shaped object", with the pilot claiming it "looked like a cruise missile type of thing - moving really fast right over the top of us." Earlier this month, the Pentagon had admitted it was wreckage of UFO crashes, according to author Anthony Bragalia who had written to the US Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA). The DIA reportedly released 154-page test results of a mysterious "memory" metal called Nitinol which remembers its original shape when folded, Bragalia claimed. According to Bragalia, the documents revealed the tests were carried out by Bigelow Aerospace, a Las Vegas company which performs private contract for the Department of Defense. The Pentagon had earlier said it was planning to form a new task force to investigate UFOs that have been observed by US military aircraft as some experts claimed they may be drones seeking to potentially gather intelligence of adversaries. Last year there were "hazard reports" detailing encounters between US Navy aircraft and "unidentified aerial phenomena" from the Navy Safety Center. The reports describe the observed phenomena as "Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS)" -- the Pentagon's official terminology for drone aircraft.

'Cylindrical-shaped object': American Airlines reportedly spots UFO over New Mexico

German start-up Wingcopter has joined the race to offer COVID-19 vaccine distribution by air, pointing to its experience in remote areas like the South Pacific Ocean nation of Vanuatu. Wingcopter says its drones set a world record with a maximum speed of 240 km/h (149 MPH) and that one battery charge lasts for "more than 100 km," or 62 miles while carrying a weight of up to 6 kg (13.2 pounds).

Now drone will distribute COVID-19 vaccine by air in remote areas

The world’s first urban airport dedicated to electric air-taxis and drones will be opened in Coventry, England later this year after securing UK government backing.

World's first urban airport for drones and flying taxis to start operations by November

When the Chula Vista police receive a 911 call, they can dispatch a flying drone with the press of button.

On a recent afternoon, from a launchpad on the roof of the Chula Vista Police Department, they sent a drone across the city to a crowded parking lot where a young man was asleep in the front seat of a stolen car with drug paraphernalia on his lap.

When the man left the car, carrying a gun and a bag of heroin, a nearby police car had trouble following as he sprinted across the street and ducked behind a wall. But as he threw the gun into a dumpster and hid the bag of heroin, the drone, hovering above him, caught everything on camera. When he slipped through the back door of a strip mall, exited through the front door and ran down the sidewalk, it caught that, too.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/more-than-1400-google-employees-protest-against-firing-of-black-researcher-347688" hreflang="en">More than 1,400 Google employees protest against firing of Black researcher</a>

Watching the live video feed, an officer back at headquarters relayed the details to the police on the scene, who soon caught the man and took him into custody. Later, they retrieved the gun and the heroin. And after another press of the button, the drone returned, on its own, to the roof.

Each day, the Chula Vista police respond to as many as 15 emergency calls with a drone, launching more than 4,100 flights since the program began two years ago. Chula Vista, a Southern California city with a population of 270,000, is the first in the country to adopt such a program, called Drone as First Responder.

Over the last several months, three other cities — two in California and one in Georgia — have followed suit. Police agencies from Hawaii to New York have used drones for years, but mostly in simple, manually flown ways. Officers would carry a drone in the trunk of a car on patrol or drive it to a crime scene before launching it over a park or flying it inside a building.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/apple-faces-lawsuits-in-europe-for-slowing-down-old-iphones-347253" hreflang="en">Apple faces lawsuits in Europe for slowing down old iPhones</a>

But the latest drone technology — mirroring technology that powers self-driving cars — has the power to transform everyday policing, just as it can transform package delivery, building inspections and military reconnaissance. Rather than spending tens of millions of dollars on large helicopters and pilots, even small police forces could operate tiny autonomous drones for a relative pittance.

That newfound automation, however, raises civil liberties concerns, especially as drones gain the power to track vehicles and people automatically. As the police use more drones, they could collect and store more video of life in the city, which could remove any expectation of privacy once you leave the home.

“Communities should ask hard questions about these programs. As the power and scope of this technology expands, so does the need for privacy protection,” said Jay Stanley, a senior policy analyst with the American Civil Liberties Union’s Project on Speech, Privacy and Technology. “Drones can be used to investigate known crimes. But they are also sensors that can generate offenses.”

With the pandemic still worsening, drones are a way of policing at a distance, said Rahul Sidhu, an officer in Redondo Beach, near Los Angeles, which started a program similar to the one in Chula Vista just after the virus reached the United States.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/twitter-expands-hate-speech-rules-covering-race-ethnicity-and-nationality-347058" hreflang="en">Twitter expands hate speech rules covering race, ethnicity and nationality</a>

“We’re just trying to limit our exposure to other people,” he said. “Sometimes, you can send a drone without sending an officer.”

But down the road, he said, as these small unmanned helicopters become cheaper and more powerful, they will provide more efficient ways of policing urban areas. That could aid police departments at a time when the number of recruits is on the wane across the country and many voices are calling for funding cuts after months of protests against police violence.

In Chula Vista, drones are already an integral part of the way the police respond to emergencies. After an emergency call comes in, officers give the drone a location, and it flies to that point on its own — before returning on its own, too.

FAA regulations aimed at protecting the flights of commercial planes and other aircraft prevent drones from being flown beyond the line of sight of their operators. But Chula Vista obtained a waiver from the FAA, so the pilot and officer can fly the drone as much as 3 miles from its launch site.

Each drone — including long-distance cameras, other sensors and software — costs the department about $35,000. But the overriding cost of the program lies in the many officers needed to operate the drones.

On another recent afternoon, when the Chula Vista police were alerted to a car turned upside down in an empty riverbed, they sent a new kind of drone into the ravine. Built by Skydio, a Silicon Valley company, it could avoid obstacles on its own thanks to many of the same technologies used by self-driving cars.

“An ordinary drone would have crashed by now, guaranteed,” Sgt. James Horst said as he watched a video of the drone swooping down into the riverbed and inspecting the inside of the car at close quarters.

The Chula Vista department treats drone video much as it does video from police bodycams, storing footage as evidence and publicly releasing it only with approval, Capt. Don Redmond said. The department does not use drones for routine patrols.

For privacy advocates like Stanley of the ACLU, the concern is that increasingly powerful technology will be used to target parts of the community — or strictly enforce laws that are out of step with social norms.

“It could allow law enforcement to enforce any area of the law against anyone they want,” Stanley said.

Drones, for instance, could easily be used to identify people and restrict activity during protests like those that have been so prevalent across the country in recent months. Redmond said the Chula Vista department did not deploy drones over Black Lives Matters protests because its policies forbade it.

The Chula Vista police do not require the approval of city officials to expand drone use, but, according to Redmond, they have publicly notified the community about the continued progress of the program.

Drone as first responder programs in places like Redondo Beach and Clovis, California, are seeking waivers that would allow them to fly beyond the operators’ line of sight.

In Clovis, near the middle of the state, the Police Department has found that its drones tend to overheat at the height of summer. “We were flying them four days a week until it got too hot,” Lt. James Munro said. “Then we had to ground them.”

But he thinks these and other technical obstacles will soon be overcome. “Drones are like iPhones,” he said. “As soon as you get one, a new one arrives with new technology.”

When the Chula Vista police receive a 911 call, they can dispatch a flying drone with the press of button. On a recent afternoon, from a launchpad on the roof of the Chula Vista Police Department, they sent a drone across the city to a crowded parking lot where a young man was asleep in the front seat of a stolen car with drug paraphernalia on his lap.

When the Chula Vista police receive a 911 call, they can dispatch a flying drone with the press of button. On a recent afternoon, from a launchpad on the roof of the Chula Vista Police Department, they sent a drone across the city to a crowded parking lot where a young man was asleep in the front seat of a stolen car with drug paraphernalia on his lap. When the man left the car, carrying a gun and a bag of heroin, a nearby police car had trouble following as he sprinted across the street and ducked behind a wall. But as he threw the gun into a dumpster and hid the bag of heroin, the drone, hovering above him, caught everything on camera. When he slipped through the back door of a strip mall, exited through the front door and ran down the sidewalk, it caught that, too. Also read| More than 1,400 Google employees protest against firing of Black researcher Watching the live video feed, an officer back at headquarters relayed the details to the police on the scene, who soon caught the man and took him into custody. Later, they retrieved the gun and the heroin. And after another press of the button, the drone returned, on its own, to the roof. Each day, the Chula Vista police respond to as many as 15 emergency calls with a drone, launching more than 4,100 flights since the program began two years ago. Chula Vista, a Southern California city with a population of 270,000, is the first in the country to adopt such a program, called Drone as First Responder. Over the last several months, three other cities — two in California and one in Georgia — have followed suit. Police agencies from Hawaii to New York have used drones for years, but mostly in simple, manually flown ways. Officers would carry a drone in the trunk of a car on patrol or drive it to a crime scene before launching it over a park or flying it inside a building. Also read| Apple faces lawsuits in Europe for slowing down old iPhones But the latest drone technology — mirroring technology that powers self-driving cars — has the power to transform everyday policing, just as it can transform package delivery, building inspections and military reconnaissance. Rather than spending tens of millions of dollars on large helicopters and pilots, even small police forces could operate tiny autonomous drones for a relative pittance. That newfound automation, however, raises civil liberties concerns, especially as drones gain the power to track vehicles and people automatically. As the police use more drones, they could collect and store more video of life in the city, which could remove any expectation of privacy once you leave the home. “Communities should ask hard questions about these programs. As the power and scope of this technology expands, so does the need for privacy protection,” said Jay Stanley, a senior policy analyst with the American Civil Liberties Union’s Project on Speech, Privacy and Technology. “Drones can be used to investigate known crimes. But they are also sensors that can generate offenses.” With the pandemic still worsening, drones are a way of policing at a distance, said Rahul Sidhu, an officer in Redondo Beach, near Los Angeles, which started a program similar to the one in Chula Vista just after the virus reached the United States. Also read| Twitter expands hate speech rules covering race, ethnicity and nationality “We’re just trying to limit our exposure to other people,” he said. “Sometimes, you can send a drone without sending an officer.” But down the road, he said, as these small unmanned helicopters become cheaper and more powerful, they will provide more efficient ways of policing urban areas. That could aid police departments at a time when the number of recruits is on the wane across the country and many voices are calling for funding cuts after months of protests against police violence. In Chula Vista, drones are already an integral part of the way the police respond to emergencies. After an emergency call comes in, officers give the drone a location, and it flies to that point on its own — before returning on its own, too. FAA regulations aimed at protecting the flights of commercial planes and other aircraft prevent drones from being flown beyond the line of sight of their operators. But Chula Vista obtained a waiver from the FAA, so the pilot and officer can fly the drone as much as 3 miles from its launch site. Each drone — including long-distance cameras, other sensors and software — costs the department about $35,000. But the overriding cost of the program lies in the many officers needed to operate the drones. On another recent afternoon, when the Chula Vista police were alerted to a car turned upside down in an empty riverbed, they sent a new kind of drone into the ravine. Built by Skydio, a Silicon Valley company, it could avoid obstacles on its own thanks to many of the same technologies used by self-driving cars. “An ordinary drone would have crashed by now, guaranteed,” Sgt. James Horst said as he watched a video of the drone swooping down into the riverbed and inspecting the inside of the car at close quarters. The Chula Vista department treats drone video much as it does video from police bodycams, storing footage as evidence and publicly releasing it only with approval, Capt. Don Redmond said. The department does not use drones for routine patrols. For privacy advocates like Stanley of the ACLU, the concern is that increasingly powerful technology will be used to target parts of the community — or strictly enforce laws that are out of step with social norms. “It could allow law enforcement to enforce any area of the law against anyone they want,” Stanley said. Drones, for instance, could easily be used to identify people and restrict activity during protests like those that have been so prevalent across the country in recent months. Redmond said the Chula Vista department did not deploy drones over Black Lives Matters protests because its policies forbade it. The Chula Vista police do not require the approval of city officials to expand drone use, but, according to Redmond, they have publicly notified the community about the continued progress of the program. Drone as first responder programs in places like Redondo Beach and Clovis, California, are seeking waivers that would allow them to fly beyond the operators’ line of sight. In Clovis, near the middle of the state, the Police Department has found that its drones tend to overheat at the height of summer. “We were flying them four days a week until it got too hot,” Lt. James Munro said. “Then we had to ground them.” But he thinks these and other technical obstacles will soon be overcome. “Drones are like iPhones,” he said. “As soon as you get one, a new one arrives with new technology.”

Police drones are starting to think for themselves

How rebels, non-state actors have enhanced strike capabilities after 9/11 attack

The United States is negotiating the sale of at least four sophisticated aerial drones to Taiwan for the first time, according to six U.S. sources familiar with the negotiations, aircraft that can keep watch over huge swathes of sea and land.

The SeaGuardian surveillance drones have a range of 6,000 nautical miles (11,100 km), far greater than the 160-mile range of Taiwan’s current fleet of drones, potentially giving the island greater capacity to peer into China, observing its air force, missiles and other facilities.

While the State Department tacitly authorized the sale of the unmanned aerial vehicles, two of the people said, it is not known whether the U.S. officials have approved exporting the drones with weapons attached, one of them said.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-builds-on-taiwan-ties-us-highest-level-visit-to-taiwan-world-news-318374">Also watch|&nbsp;US builds on Taiwan ties: US highest-level visit to Taiwan | World News</a>

The deal must be approved by members of Congress, who may receive formal notification as soon as next month, two of the people said. Congress could block a final agreement.

Such a sale would most likely anger China, which claims Taiwan as its own territory.

Republican and Democratic U.S. senators introduced legislation on Thursday that would block the export, transfer or trade of many advanced drones to countries that are not close U.S. allies. Sales would be allowed to NATO members, Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, Japan and Israel.

A deal with Taiwan would be the first drone sale after President Donald Trump’s administration moved ahead with its plan to sell more drones to more countries by reinterpreting an international arms control agreement called the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR).

Taiwan’s Defense Ministry declined to comment.

While Taiwan’s military is well-trained and well-equipped with mostly US-made hardware, China has a huge numerical advantage and is adding advanced equipment of its own, including stealthy fighters, anti-satellite missiles and aircraft carriers.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-health-chief-to-visit-taiwan-likely-angering-china-318231">Also read|&nbsp;US health chief to visit Taiwan, likely angering China</a>

Taiwan submitted its request to buy armed drones early this year, one of the people familiar with the talks said. The United States last week sent Taiwan the pricing and availability data for the deal, a key step that denotes official approval to advance the sale. It is, however, non-binding and could be reversed.

A deal for the four drones, ground stations, spares, training and support could be worth around $600 million using previous sales as a guide. There could also be options for additional units in the future, one of the people said.

The island is bolstering its defenses in the face of what it sees as increasingly threatening moves by Beijing, such as regular Chinese air force and naval exercises near Taiwan

Taiwan unveiled its largest defense spending increase in more than a decade last year. President Tsai Ing-wen has made defense modernization a priority, including building new submarines and upgrading Taiwan’s F-16 fighter fleet.

Relations between Beijing and Washington - already at their lowest point in decades over accusations of spying, a trade war, the coronavirus and Hong Kong - could fray more if the deal gets the final go-ahead from U.S. officials. The Pentagon has said arms sales to Taiwan will continue, and the Trump administration has kept a steady pace of Navy warships passing through the Taiwan Strait.

China has never renounced the use of force to bring the democratic island under its control. Beijing has denounced the Trump administration’s increased support for Taiwan.

China’s sophisticated air defenses could likely shoot down a handful of drones, according to Bonnie Glaser, the director of the China Power Project at CSIS, a Washington think tank. But she still expects “China to scream about even the smallest arms sale that the U.S. makes to Taiwan because any sale challenges the ‘One China’ principle.”

&nbsp; &nbsp; “They get particularly agitated if they think it’s an offensive capability,” she said, adding that she expected the Trump administration to be less cautious than its predecessors.

“As a matter of policy we do not comment on or confirm proposed defense sales or transfers until they have been formally notified to Congress,” a State Department spokesman said.

Only for few US allies 
The U.S. has been eager to sell Taiwan tanks and fighter jets, but the deal to sell drones would be notable since only a few close allies - including Britain, Italy, Australia, Japan and South Korea - have been allowed to purchase the largest U.S.-made drones.

Currently, the Taiwanese government has a fleet of 26 Albatross drones made by Taiwan’s National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology, a quasi-defense ministry research agency, that can fly 160 nautical miles (300 km), or 80 before returning to base, according to records kept by the Bard Center for the Study of the Drone.

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc’s SeaGuardian has an airframe that can handle carrying weapons - but only if contractually allowed by the U.S. government.

The United States has sold France unarmed MQ-9 Reapers which are similar to SeaGuardians, and later here gave permission to arm them.

Last year, the United States approved a potential sale to Taiwan of 108 General Dynamics Corp M1A2 Abrams tanks worth around $2 billion as well as anti-tank and anti-aircraft munitions. A separate sale of 66 Lockheed Martin-made fighter jets also made it through the State Department’s process.

In recent weeks, China said it will sanction Lockheed Martin Co for involvement in the latest U.S. arms sale to Taiwan.

The United States is negotiating the sale of at least four sophisticated aerial drones to Taiwan for the first time, according to six U.S. sources familiar with the negotiations, aircraft that can keep watch over huge swathes of sea and land.

The United States is negotiating the sale of at least four sophisticated aerial drones to Taiwan for the first time, according to six U.S. sources familiar with the negotiations, aircraft that can keep watch over huge swathes of sea and land. The SeaGuardian surveillance drones have a range of 6,000 nautical miles (11,100 km), far greater than the 160-mile range of Taiwan’s current fleet of drones, potentially giving the island greater capacity to peer into China, observing its air force, missiles and other facilities. While the State Department tacitly authorized the sale of the unmanned aerial vehicles, two of the people said, it is not known whether the U.S. officials have approved exporting the drones with weapons attached, one of them said. Also watch| US builds on Taiwan ties: US highest-level visit to Taiwan | World News The deal must be approved by members of Congress, who may receive formal notification as soon as next month, two of the people said. Congress could block a final agreement. Such a sale would most likely anger China, which claims Taiwan as its own territory. Republican and Democratic U.S. senators introduced legislation on Thursday that would block the export, transfer or trade of many advanced drones to countries that are not close U.S. allies. Sales would be allowed to NATO members, Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, Japan and Israel. A deal with Taiwan would be the first drone sale after President Donald Trump’s administration moved ahead with its plan to sell more drones to more countries by reinterpreting an international arms control agreement called the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR). Taiwan’s Defense Ministry declined to comment. While Taiwan’s military is well-trained and well-equipped with mostly US-made hardware, China has a huge numerical advantage and is adding advanced equipment of its own, including stealthy fighters, anti-satellite missiles and aircraft carriers. Also read| US health chief to visit Taiwan, likely angering China Taiwan submitted its request to buy armed drones early this year, one of the people familiar with the talks said. The United States last week sent Taiwan the pricing and availability data for the deal, a key step that denotes official approval to advance the sale. It is, however, non-binding and could be reversed. A deal for the four drones, ground stations, spares, training and support could be worth around $600 million using previous sales as a guide. There could also be options for additional units in the future, one of the people said. The island is bolstering its defenses in the face of what it sees as increasingly threatening moves by Beijing, such as regular Chinese air force and naval exercises near Taiwan Taiwan unveiled its largest defense spending increase in more than a decade last year. President Tsai Ing-wen has made defense modernization a priority, including building new submarines and upgrading Taiwan’s F-16 fighter fleet. Relations between Beijing and Washington - already at their lowest point in decades over accusations of spying, a trade war, the coronavirus and Hong Kong - could fray more if the deal gets the final go-ahead from U.S. officials. The Pentagon has said arms sales to Taiwan will continue, and the Trump administration has kept a steady pace of Navy warships passing through the Taiwan Strait. China has never renounced the use of force to bring the democratic island under its control. Beijing has denounced the Trump administration’s increased support for Taiwan. China’s sophisticated air defenses could likely shoot down a handful of drones, according to Bonnie Glaser, the director of the China Power Project at CSIS, a Washington think tank. But she still expects “China to scream about even the smallest arms sale that the U.S. makes to Taiwan because any sale challenges the ‘One China’ principle.” “They get particularly agitated if they think it’s an offensive capability,” she said, adding that she expected the Trump administration to be less cautious than its predecessors. “As a matter of policy we do not comment on or confirm proposed defense sales or transfers until they have been formally notified to Congress,” a State Department spokesman said. Only for few US allies The U.S. has been eager to sell Taiwan tanks and fighter jets, but the deal to sell drones would be notable since only a few close allies - including Britain, Italy, Australia, Japan and South Korea - have been allowed to purchase the largest U.S.-made drones. Currently, the Taiwanese government has a fleet of 26 Albatross drones made by Taiwan’s National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology, a quasi-defense ministry research agency, that can fly 160 nautical miles (300 km), or 80 before returning to base, according to records kept by the Bard Center for the Study of the Drone. General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc’s SeaGuardian has an airframe that can handle carrying weapons - but only if contractually allowed by the U.S. government. The United States has sold France unarmed MQ-9 Reapers which are similar to SeaGuardians, and later here gave permission to arm them. Last year, the United States approved a potential sale to Taiwan of 108 General Dynamics Corp M1A2 Abrams tanks worth around $2 billion as well as anti-tank and anti-aircraft munitions. A separate sale of 66 Lockheed Martin-made fighter jets also made it through the State Department’s process. In recent weeks, China said it will sanction Lockheed Martin Co for involvement in the latest U.S. arms sale to Taiwan.

Taiwan in talks to make first purchase of sophisticated US drones: Sources

At a time when India’s government looks to boost home-grown manufacturing and self-reliance, drones are a key focus area. While India imports sophisticated drones that are meant for the Armed Forces, there are various purposes for which home-grown options have proven their mettle. Indigenously designed and developed drones have displayed their capability in spraying disinfectants across crowded, inaccessible areas in Covid-19 hotspots and also recently in the fight against locusts. Experts who work in the field also believe that the scaling up indigenous drone manufacturing could not only boost local industry, but also generate millions of jobs across sectors.&nbsp;

Shortly after the Covid-19 outbreak in India’s major cities from the month of March, drones took to the skies, spraying disinfectant over vast, congested urban spaces. Drones were aiding the civic authorities’ efforts in fighting against the deadly pandemic. Drones from educational institutions, private companies were widely being used for disinfection of areas in a quick and efficient manner. What’s more, some of these drone models are also fueled by petrol, hence can operate for longer durations without the worry of downtime during longer charging hours.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/drones-equipped-with-soap-bubbles-could-be-an-answer-to-starvation-306751">Drones equipped with soap bubbles could be an answer to starvation</a>

Recently, India’s Ministry of Civil Aviation had also permitted the Agriculture Ministry to utilize engine-powered drones (with a fully-loaded weight below 50kgs) to fly night operations, spraying pesticides against locusts in Certain North-Western&amp; Central states. So far, only the drones operated by India’s defense forces had the clearances to fly during day and night. This latest permission offered to the Agriculture Ministry is being viewed as a major boost to the home-grown manufacturers of this technology. This could mean more opportunities for drone-makers, engineers and others involved in the supply-chain to contribute in a larger way.&nbsp;

Drones built by Chennai’s Abdul Kalam Advanced UAV Research Center in Anna University have been among the ones fighting locusts in Rajasthan. 3 drones and 8 pilots have been camping in the state and assisting the authorities, who are also employing traditional methods to avert the locust threat.&nbsp;

Dr K Senthilkumar of Chennai’s Anna University points out that the petrol-operated drones are the future and that their applications are wide-ranging, as they have several advantages over their battery-operated counterparts.

“Our petrol-powered drones can fly for 40 minutes non-stop and just need maintenance after every 50 hours of operation. Battery-powered drones require the battery pack to be disposed after 75-100 flights. Our drones have a 40-minute endurance using 3.5 liters of fuel, whereas battery models fly about 10 minutes, before they need to land and charge. The model being flown in Rajasthan has a tank capacity to hold 18 liters of liquid (disinfectant or insecticide) and uses an ultra-low volume atomizer spray which is highly efficient and reduces wastage. Just one of our drones can spray 5000sq meters in a single 40-minute flight, so if we fly it round the clock(in 4 shifts), we can cover upto 80,000sq meters” Dr. Senthilkumar, Director, &nbsp;Abdul Kalam Advanced UAV Research Center told WION.&nbsp;

With wide-ranging applications and enhanced emphasis on indigenization, it is needless to say that in the coming times, the sky is the limit for India’s domestic drone manufacturers. Favorable policy and liberal regulations in the relevant sectors too play a major role in generating interest from the industry. “The Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) supports use of drone-tech in agriculture. In addition to aerial surveillance and spraying, it can do wonders in crop crop analytics and farm yield improvement. As demand rises and prices fall, we foresee many Indian villages having their own rented drones, much like tractors and harvester combines. This will help create local entrepreneurs, jobs and higher farm earnings” Amber Dubey, Joint Secretary and Head of Drones division at MoCA told WION.&nbsp;

Dr Senthilkumar adds that better engineering and modifications to drones can help allay the fears about misuse and mishaps involving these flying machines. He talks about programming the drones and limiting range in such a way that they won’t fly above 20 meters in height and 300 meters in distance.&nbsp;

He adds that there are also methods to avoid crashes and fires that may result from mishaps. “Our drones have battery backup and can land in case of primary engine failure. We have programmed it in such a way that it will land at the take-off location. Even our petrol engine isn’t a direct drive model, it works like a generator and the power is transferred to the motor. We have done several crash tests from a 100m height and observed that only the landing gear gets affected, we are also considering using a fire-resistant material for the petrol tank henceforth” Senthilkumar says.

Dr MK Surappa, the Vice Chancellor of Anna University says that drones have become widely popular in a matter of a few years and that they have unlimited potential. “Besides military use, it used to be a toy for some, and was also meant for photographers, but there is the option of using them in swarms, as coordinated drones and what not. It’s not just about building drones, but about equipping them for Internet-of-things (IoT) and fitting more advanced sensors and cameras, thus allowing them to have software-driven functionalities. The potential here is enormous” he told WION.&nbsp;

Dr Senthil Kumar envisions that drones can bring about the next manufacturing revolution, just like automobiles had done over the years. He estimates that India alone would need over half-a-million (5 lakh) engine-operated drones for wide-ranging civilian needs in the coming years. This would in turn mean employment for engineers, drone operators, assistants, manufacturers, suppliers, service technicians and a whole lot of others, he says.

At a time when India’s government looks to boost home-grown manufacturing and self-reliance, drones are a key focus area. While India imports sophisticated drones that are meant for the Armed Forces, there are various purposes for which home-grown options have proven their mettle.

At a time when India’s government looks to boost home-grown manufacturing and self-reliance, drones are a key focus area. While India imports sophisticated drones that are meant for the Armed Forces, there are various purposes for which home-grown options have proven their mettle. Indigenously designed and developed drones have displayed their capability in spraying disinfectants across crowded, inaccessible areas in Covid-19 hotspots and also recently in the fight against locusts. Experts who work in the field also believe that the scaling up indigenous drone manufacturing could not only boost local industry, but also generate millions of jobs across sectors. Shortly after the Covid-19 outbreak in India’s major cities from the month of March, drones took to the skies, spraying disinfectant over vast, congested urban spaces. Drones were aiding the civic authorities’ efforts in fighting against the deadly pandemic. Drones from educational institutions, private companies were widely being used for disinfection of areas in a quick and efficient manner. What’s more, some of these drone models are also fueled by petrol, hence can operate for longer durations without the worry of downtime during longer charging hours. Also read | Drones equipped with soap bubbles could be an answer to starvation Recently, India’s Ministry of Civil Aviation had also permitted the Agriculture Ministry to utilize engine-powered drones (with a fully-loaded weight below 50kgs) to fly night operations, spraying pesticides against locusts in Certain North-Western& Central states. So far, only the drones operated by India’s defense forces had the clearances to fly during day and night. This latest permission offered to the Agriculture Ministry is being viewed as a major boost to the home-grown manufacturers of this technology. This could mean more opportunities for drone-makers, engineers and others involved in the supply-chain to contribute in a larger way. Drones built by Chennai’s Abdul Kalam Advanced UAV Research Center in Anna University have been among the ones fighting locusts in Rajasthan. 3 drones and 8 pilots have been camping in the state and assisting the authorities, who are also employing traditional methods to avert the locust threat. Dr K Senthilkumar of Chennai’s Anna University points out that the petrol-operated drones are the future and that their applications are wide-ranging, as they have several advantages over their battery-operated counterparts. “Our petrol-powered drones can fly for 40 minutes non-stop and just need maintenance after every 50 hours of operation. Battery-powered drones require the battery pack to be disposed after 75-100 flights. Our drones have a 40-minute endurance using 3.5 liters of fuel, whereas battery models fly about 10 minutes, before they need to land and charge. The model being flown in Rajasthan has a tank capacity to hold 18 liters of liquid (disinfectant or insecticide) and uses an ultra-low volume atomizer spray which is highly efficient and reduces wastage. Just one of our drones can spray 5000sq meters in a single 40-minute flight, so if we fly it round the clock(in 4 shifts), we can cover upto 80,000sq meters” Dr. Senthilkumar, Director, Abdul Kalam Advanced UAV Research Center told WION. With wide-ranging applications and enhanced emphasis on indigenization, it is needless to say that in the coming times, the sky is the limit for India’s domestic drone manufacturers. Favorable policy and liberal regulations in the relevant sectors too play a major role in generating interest from the industry. “The Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) supports use of drone-tech in agriculture. In addition to aerial surveillance and spraying, it can do wonders in crop crop analytics and farm yield improvement. As demand rises and prices fall, we foresee many Indian villages having their own rented drones, much like tractors and harvester combines. This will help create local entrepreneurs, jobs and higher farm earnings” Amber Dubey, Joint Secretary and Head of Drones division at MoCA told WION. Dr Senthilkumar adds that better engineering and modifications to drones can help allay the fears about misuse and mishaps involving these flying machines. He talks about programming the drones and limiting range in such a way that they won’t fly above 20 meters in height and 300 meters in distance. He adds that there are also methods to avoid crashes and fires that may result from mishaps. “Our drones have battery backup and can land in case of primary engine failure. We have programmed it in such a way that it will land at the take-off location. Even our petrol engine isn’t a direct drive model, it works like a generator and the power is transferred to the motor. We have done several crash tests from a 100m height and observed that only the landing gear gets affected, we are also considering using a fire-resistant material for the petrol tank henceforth” Senthilkumar says. Dr MK Surappa, the Vice Chancellor of Anna University says that drones have become widely popular in a matter of a few years and that they have unlimited potential. “Besides military use, it used to be a toy for some, and was also meant for photographers, but there is the option of using them in swarms, as coordinated drones and what not. It’s not just about building drones, but about equipping them for Internet-of-things (IoT) and fitting more advanced sensors and cameras, thus allowing them to have software-driven functionalities. The potential here is enormous” he told WION. Dr Senthil Kumar envisions that drones can bring about the next manufacturing revolution, just like automobiles had done over the years. He estimates that India alone would need over half-a-million (5 lakh) engine-operated drones for wide-ranging civilian needs in the coming years. This would in turn mean employment for engineers, drone operators, assistants, manufacturers, suppliers, service technicians and a whole lot of others, he says.

Experts say boosting home-grown drone industry will generate millions of jobs

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