With the advent of time in the drone age, electronic warfare has become considerably more capable than public commentary typically acknowledges. Along with electronic warfare, armour, fortifications, missile defences, electronic warfare and deception have preserved combat power by preserving the force’s freedom to act. This has not only prepared soldiers for potential war, but has also given the military a purpose: to preserve freedom of action through manoeuvrability and to fight in a way that imposes their will. For over a hundred years, different nation always planned and built their militaries with quantity, equipping foot soldiers with body armour so that they could keep fighting even under direct engagement. Later, after armour got technically advanced, equipment to launch in the air or on land was fitted with heavier plating and active defence systems to keep moving while taking fire. In addition, Naval vessels were designed with multiple layers of missile defence so they could function in hostile waters. Now, all the war from face-to-face or without human presence in the armour's launcher, it has shifted to drone technology, reshaping the modern battlefield. Defence industry leaders noted that electronic warfare has moved from a supporting function to a core pillar of national security. In India, the push for indigenous technology has become central to staying ahead of the threat. The rise of cheap, commercially available drone technology has fundamentally altered the calculus of conflict. Capabilities that once demanded expensive missile systems or manned aircraft can now be replicated with a few thousand dollars of off-the-shelf hardware, giving smaller forces and non-state actors access to surveillance, precision-strike, and electronic-warfare capabilities once reserved for major militaries. Industry estimates peg the global military drone market to reach $80–90 billion in annual revenue by 2030.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/wion-exclusive-how-energy-productivity-can-power-india-s-next-phase-of-industrial-growth-1786784297557">WION Exclusive: How can energy productivity power India’s next phase of industrial growth</a><h3>Experts on the rise of drone technology</h3>Reacting to the drone capabilities, "Amardeep Singh, Founder &amp; CEO, Armory," The nature of modern conflict has changed, and the proliferation of drones is at the centre of that shift. What used to require expensive missiles or manned aircraft can now be achieved with a few thousand dollars’ worth of commercial hardware. Today's battlefield is defined by intelligent, low-cost, and highly adaptable unmanned systems capable of surveillance, targeting, precision strikes, and electronic warfare. The global military drone market is projected to generate annual revenues of USD 80-90 billion by 2030. As drones become more sophisticated through frequency-hopping communication, encrypted data links, GPS-denied navigation, and increasingly autonomous flight modes that do not rely on a live signal to the operator at all, counter-drone technologies must evolve even faster to catch up with it all. A hostile drone can go from being detected to causing damage in under a minute. Electronic Warfare systems have to detect, classify, and respond within that same narrow window, putting enormous pressure on the speed of decision-making architecture." "Addressing these evolving threats requires complete ownership of the technology stack rather than dependence on imported subsystems. By designing, developing, and manufacturing our counter-drone systems entirely in Bharat, we, at Armoury, have built the agility to rapidly prototype, test, and deploy new capabilities based on real-time operational feedback. Our flagship system, SURGE, progressed from concept to a fully operational counter-drone platform in just six months, while our AI-driven operating architecture, Samaritan OS, enables autonomous threat detection, analysis, and precision response. As India strengthens its defence capabilities, building sovereign electronic warfare technologies will be essential not only for safeguarding military assets and critical infrastructure but also for positioning the country as a global leader in next-generation defence systems. The future of drone defence will belong to nations that can innovate faster than the threats they face," Singh added. Venkatesh Sai, Founder &amp; CTO of ZUPPA Geo Navigation Technologies, echoed the sentiment about the drones, considering them more valuable and more dangerous after they grow more autonomous and widely accessible. He stated that modern defence forces can no longer rely on simply detecting an incoming drone; they need the ability to identify, track, analyse, and respond in real time. He noted that electronic warfare allows forces to monitor the electromagnetic spectrum and disrupt hostile signals without depending solely on conventional weapons, allowing them to skip unnecessary escalation. Venkatesh Sai said, "The advanced evolution of drone technology has transformed the way nations approach security and modern warfare. Drones have become more intelligent, autonomous, and widely available, making them valuable assets on one hand and potential threats on the other. As this landscape continues to evolve, electronic warfare has become one of the most critical capabilities for ensuring mission success and national security. In today's operational environment, it is no longer enough to simply detect an incoming drone. Defence forces must be able to identify, track, analyse, and respond to threats quickly and accurately. Electronic warfare provides that capability by enabling forces to monitor the electromagnetic spectrum, disrupt hostile communications, and counter drone threats without relying solely on conventional weapons. This not only improves operational efficiency but also reduces the risk of unnecessary escalation." "At Zuppa, we believe that the future of defence lies in building intelligent, secure, and resilient technologies that can adapt to changing battlefield conditions. As drone systems become more advanced, it is equally important to develop electronic warfare solutions that are agile, reliable, and capable of protecting critical assets in real time. Innovation in this space will play a defining role in strengthening defence preparedness. India has made significant progress in developing indigenous defence technologies, and electronic warfare will remain a key focus area as the country advances towards greater self-reliance. Building homegrown capabilities in this domain will not only strengthen national security but also position India as a global technology leader in next-generation defence solutions. The future battlefield will be shaped by information, speed, and technological superiority. Electronic warfare is no longer a supporting capability; now it has become a strategic necessity. By investing in innovation and indigenous technologies today, we can build a safer, stronger, and more secure tomorrow," he added.&nbsp;

The rise of cheap, commercially available drone technology has fundamentally altered the calculus of conflict. Capabilities that once demanded expensive missile systems or manned aircraft can now be replicated with a few thousand dollars of off-the-shelf hardware.

With the advent of time in the drone age, electronic warfare has become considerably more capable than public commentary typically acknowledges. Along with electronic warfare, armour, fortifications, missile defences, electronic warfare and deception have preserved combat power by preserving the force’s freedom to act. This has not only prepared soldiers for potential war, but has also given the military a purpose: to preserve freedom of action through manoeuvrability and to fight in a way that imposes their will. For over a hundred years, different nation always planned and built their militaries with quantity, equipping foot soldiers with body armour so that they could keep fighting even under direct engagement. Later, after armour got technically advanced, equipment to launch in the air or on land was fitted with heavier plating and active defence systems to keep moving while taking fire. In addition, Naval vessels were designed with multiple layers of missile defence so they could function in hostile waters. Now, all the war from face-to-face or without human presence in the armour's launcher, it has shifted to drone technology, reshaping the modern battlefield. Defence industry leaders noted that electronic warfare has moved from a supporting function to a core pillar of national security. In India, the push for indigenous technology has become central to staying ahead of the threat. The rise of cheap, commercially available drone technology has fundamentally altered the calculus of conflict. Capabilities that once demanded expensive missile systems or manned aircraft can now be replicated with a few thousand dollars of off-the-shelf hardware, giving smaller forces and non-state actors access to surveillance, precision-strike, and electronic-warfare capabilities once reserved for major militaries. Industry estimates peg the global military drone market to reach $80–90 billion in annual revenue by 2030. Also read: WION Exclusive: How can energy productivity power India’s next phase of industrial growth Experts on the rise of drone technology Reacting to the drone capabilities, "Amardeep Singh, Founder & CEO, Armory," The nature of modern conflict has changed, and the proliferation of drones is at the centre of that shift. What used to require expensive missiles or manned aircraft can now be achieved with a few thousand dollars’ worth of commercial hardware. Today's battlefield is defined by intelligent, low-cost, and highly adaptable unmanned systems capable of surveillance, targeting, precision strikes, and electronic warfare. The global military drone market is projected to generate annual revenues of USD 80-90 billion by 2030. As drones become more sophisticated through frequency-hopping communication, encrypted data links, GPS-denied navigation, and increasingly autonomous flight modes that do not rely on a live signal to the operator at all, counter-drone technologies must evolve even faster to catch up with it all. A hostile drone can go from being detected to causing damage in under a minute. Electronic Warfare systems have to detect, classify, and respond within that same narrow window, putting enormous pressure on the speed of decision-making architecture." "Addressing these evolving threats requires complete ownership of the technology stack rather than dependence on imported subsystems. By designing, developing, and manufacturing our counter-drone systems entirely in Bharat, we, at Armoury, have built the agility to rapidly prototype, test, and deploy new capabilities based on real-time operational feedback. Our flagship system, SURGE, progressed from concept to a fully operational counter-drone platform in just six months, while our AI-driven operating architecture, Samaritan OS, enables autonomous threat detection, analysis, and precision response. As India strengthens its defence capabilities, building sovereign electronic warfare technologies will be essential not only for safeguarding military assets and critical infrastructure but also for positioning the country as a global leader in next-generation defence systems. The future of drone defence will belong to nations that can innovate faster than the threats they face," Singh added. Venkatesh Sai, Founder & CTO of ZUPPA Geo Navigation Technologies, echoed the sentiment about the drones, considering them more valuable and more dangerous after they grow more autonomous and widely accessible. He stated that modern defence forces can no longer rely on simply detecting an incoming drone; they need the ability to identify, track, analyse, and respond in real time. He noted that electronic warfare allows forces to monitor the electromagnetic spectrum and disrupt hostile signals without depending solely on conventional weapons, allowing them to skip unnecessary escalation. Venkatesh Sai said, "The advanced evolution of drone technology has transformed the way nations approach security and modern warfare. Drones have become more intelligent, autonomous, and widely available, making them valuable assets on one hand and potential threats on the other. As this landscape continues to evolve, electronic warfare has become one of the most critical capabilities for ensuring mission success and national security. In today's operational environment, it is no longer enough to simply detect an incoming drone. Defence forces must be able to identify, track, analyse, and respond to threats quickly and accurately. Electronic warfare provides that capability by enabling forces to monitor the electromagnetic spectrum, disrupt hostile communications, and counter drone threats without relying solely on conventional weapons. This not only improves operational efficiency but also reduces the risk of unnecessary escalation." "At Zuppa, we believe that the future of defence lies in building intelligent, secure, and resilient technologies that can adapt to changing battlefield conditions. As drone systems become more advanced, it is equally important to develop electronic warfare solutions that are agile, reliable, and capable of protecting critical assets in real time. Innovation in this space will play a defining role in strengthening defence preparedness. India has made significant progress in developing indigenous defence technologies, and electronic warfare will remain a key focus area as the country advances towards greater self-reliance. Building homegrown capabilities in this domain will not only strengthen national security but also position India as a global technology leader in next-generation defence solutions. The future battlefield will be shaped by information, speed, and technological superiority. Electronic warfare is no longer a supporting capability; now it has become a strategic necessity. By investing in innovation and indigenous technologies today, we can build a safer, stronger, and more secure tomorrow," he added.

The rise of cheap, commercially available drone technology has fundamentally altered the calculus of conflict. Capabilities that once demanded expensive missile systems or manned aircraft can now be replicated with a few thousand dollars of off-the-shelf hardware.

The growing importance of electronic warfare in the drone age: WION Exclusive

Military drones are far cheaper to operate than aircraft. From the $3,600-per-hour MQ-9 Reaper to high-altitude Global Hawk missions, drones cut costs by removing pilots, reducing fuel use, and relying on simulators.

How much does it cost to operate a military drone per hour

To change the face of modern warfare, India is gradually encouraging the advancement of military technology with the increasing drones, in addition to nuclear fighter jets, submarines, ships, missiles, and guns. Let's have a look at the top 7 advanced drones of India.

From HAROP to CATS Warrior: Meet India’s 7 most advanced combat drones in 2025

Iran on Saturday (December 31) carried out tests of new attack drones, said state TV. The tests were reportedly carried out in coastal area of Gulf of Oman and near the strategic Strait of Hormuz as part of ongoing annual drill.&nbsp;According to the report, the Ababil-5 attack drone hit its target with a bomb after having travelled 400 kilometres. This drone was used during wargames for the first time. Over the past decade, Iran has tested many other military drones.

Iran, a close ally of Russia in many matters, finds itself at odds with the West on the issue of drones. It recently admitted that it provided drones to Russia which global opinion says were used in the Ukraine war. However, Iran claims that the drones were provided to Russia prior to its invasion of Ukraine. Iran maintains that it is committed to stopping the Ukraine conflict.

Strait of Hormuz near which the drones tests were carried out is part of all-important Persian Gulf. It is an immensely significant waterway as a fifth of&nbsp;world's oil traded passes through this gulf.

Iranian commandos and airborne infantry took part in the ongoing wargames, called Zolfaghar-1401. This was accompanied by participation of fighter jets, military transport aircrafts, helicopters and submarines. It is expected that Iranian forces will fire missiles and test air defence systems as well.

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

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Iran on Saturday (December 31) carried out tests of new attack drones, said state TV. The tests were reportedly carried out in coastal area of Gulf of Oman and near the strategic Strait of Hormuz as part of ongoing annual drill.

Iran on Saturday (December 31) carried out tests of new attack drones, said state TV. The tests were reportedly carried out in coastal area of Gulf of Oman and near the strategic Strait of Hormuz as part of ongoing annual drill. According to the report, the Ababil-5 attack drone hit its target with a bomb after having travelled 400 kilometres. This drone was used during wargames for the first time. Over the past decade, Iran has tested many other military drones. Iran, a close ally of Russia in many matters, finds itself at odds with the West on the issue of drones. It recently admitted that it provided drones to Russia which global opinion says were used in the Ukraine war. However, Iran claims that the drones were provided to Russia prior to its invasion of Ukraine. Iran maintains that it is committed to stopping the Ukraine conflict. Strait of Hormuz near which the drones tests were carried out is part of all-important Persian Gulf. It is an immensely significant waterway as a fifth of world's oil traded passes through this gulf. Iranian commandos and airborne infantry took part in the ongoing wargames, called Zolfaghar-1401. This was accompanied by participation of fighter jets, military transport aircrafts, helicopters and submarines. It is expected that Iranian forces will fire missiles and test air defence systems as well. You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

Iran showcases new attack drones in ongoing wargames near the strategic Strait of Hormuz

The Israeli defence forces have revealed about the country's use of military drones for the first time. But, why now? What do they want the public to know and who are they hoping will take notice?

Israel acknowledges use of attack drones for first time

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

China will sell 48 high-end military drones to its "all-weather ally" Pakistan in what a military observer said will be the largest deal of its kind, official media here reported on Tuesday. 
The cost of the deal was not revealed.

Wing Loong II, a high-end reconnaissance, strike and multi-role endurance unmanned aircraft system, is manufactured by Chengdu Aircraft Industrial (Group) Company.

The Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) will also be jointly manufactured, state-run Global Times reported.

China, an "all-weather ally" of Islamabad, is the largest supplier of weapon system to the Pakistan Army. Both the countries also jointly manufacture JF-Thunder a single engine multi-role combat aircraft.

The announcement by China to permit the sale of high-end military drones comes in the immediate backdrop of India's move to acquire S-400 sophisticated missile defence systems from Russia.

The deal was clinched during last week's visit of Russian President Vladimir Putin to New Delhi.

The deal for the acquisition of Chinese drones was announced by Pakistan Air Force's Sherdils Aerobatic Team on its official Facebook account on Sunday, the Global Times report said.

It did not reveal the cost of the deal, when it was struck or when the Wing Loong IIs will be delivered, it said.

The air force academy aerobatics team announced that in the future, the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex Kamra and the Aviation Industry Corporation of China's Chengdu Aircraft Industrial (Group) Company will jointly manufacture the drones, the report said.

Chengdu Aircraft Industrial Group did not confirm when the deal was reached.

Wing Loong II made its maiden flight in February last year, an earlier report by the state-run Xinhua news agency said.

A Xinhua report in December last year said Wing Loong II UAS has already obtained the largest order of Chinese UAVs in the overseas market, even before its maiden flight. But the report did not specify the buyer.

According to the report, the system is composed of the ground station and various number of unmanned aerial vehicles.

Within 10 months of its maiden flight, multiple live firing tests had been conducted in accordance with the requirement of its customers, including stationary targets, moving targets, time-sensitive targets and air-ground coordination, the report said.

A deal involving as many as 48 Wing Loong IIs, if confirmed, would be China's largest export deal for drones to date, Song Zhongping, a military expert and TV commentator, told the Global Times.

It makes sense the aerobatic team was closely involved with the deal, Song said, noting that the team is expected to train the drone operators.

The deal is trustworthy given the close military ties between the two countries and Pakistan's need for drones, Song said.

US drones like the MQ-1 Predator and MQ-9 Reaper are technologically more advanced, but Washington limits their export, Song said.

Chinese drones will enjoy more success in the international market in the future, he said, as they perform similarly at a lower cost.

"Chinese UAVs like Caihong series also has clients from countries like Iraq and Saudi Arabia," Song added.

China will sell 48 high-end military drones to its "all-weather ally" Pakistan in what a military observer said will be the largest deal of its kind, official media here reported on Tuesday.

China will sell 48 high-end military drones to its "all-weather ally" Pakistan in what a military observer said will be the largest deal of its kind, official media here reported on Tuesday. The cost of the deal was not revealed. Wing Loong II, a high-end reconnaissance, strike and multi-role endurance unmanned aircraft system, is manufactured by Chengdu Aircraft Industrial (Group) Company. The Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) will also be jointly manufactured, state-run Global Times reported. China, an "all-weather ally" of Islamabad, is the largest supplier of weapon system to the Pakistan Army. Both the countries also jointly manufacture JF-Thunder a single engine multi-role combat aircraft. The announcement by China to permit the sale of high-end military drones comes in the immediate backdrop of India's move to acquire S-400 sophisticated missile defence systems from Russia. The deal was clinched during last week's visit of Russian President Vladimir Putin to New Delhi. The deal for the acquisition of Chinese drones was announced by Pakistan Air Force's Sherdils Aerobatic Team on its official Facebook account on Sunday, the Global Times report said. It did not reveal the cost of the deal, when it was struck or when the Wing Loong IIs will be delivered, it said. The air force academy aerobatics team announced that in the future, the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex Kamra and the Aviation Industry Corporation of China's Chengdu Aircraft Industrial (Group) Company will jointly manufacture the drones, the report said. Chengdu Aircraft Industrial Group did not confirm when the deal was reached. Wing Loong II made its maiden flight in February last year, an earlier report by the state-run Xinhua news agency said. A Xinhua report in December last year said Wing Loong II UAS has already obtained the largest order of Chinese UAVs in the overseas market, even before its maiden flight. But the report did not specify the buyer. According to the report, the system is composed of the ground station and various number of unmanned aerial vehicles. Within 10 months of its maiden flight, multiple live firing tests had been conducted in accordance with the requirement of its customers, including stationary targets, moving targets, time-sensitive targets and air-ground coordination, the report said. A deal involving as many as 48 Wing Loong IIs, if confirmed, would be China's largest export deal for drones to date, Song Zhongping, a military expert and TV commentator, told the Global Times. It makes sense the aerobatic team was closely involved with the deal, Song said, noting that the team is expected to train the drone operators. The deal is trustworthy given the close military ties between the two countries and Pakistan's need for drones, Song said. US drones like the MQ-1 Predator and MQ-9 Reaper are technologically more advanced, but Washington limits their export, Song said. Chinese drones will enjoy more success in the international market in the future, he said, as they perform similarly at a lower cost. "Chinese UAVs like Caihong series also has clients from countries like Iraq and Saudi Arabia," Song added.

China to sell 48 high-end military drones to Pakistan

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