THE USE OF DRONES AS ASYMMETRIC MEANS IN MODERN WARFARE
THE USE OF DRONES AS ASYMMETRIC MEANS IN MODERN WARFARE

Author(s): Raul-Bogdan AGAPI
Subject(s): Politics / Political Sciences, Politics, Security and defense
Published by: Carol I National Defence University Publishing House
Keywords: drones; UAVs; UAS; asymmetric warfare; war in Ukraine; technology;
Summary/Abstract: This theoretical paper sets out to explain how the use of Unmanned Aerial Systems (UASs) in modern wars has become an asymmetric means rather than merely a sophisticated, expensive weapon through which a well-resourced competitor could gain a considerable advantage in achieving battlefield supremacy. Military conflicts today are far more complex compared to those from 100 years ago or the 19th century. Increasingly, actors who, based on empirical, quantitative analysis, would be deemed unlikely to oppose a powerful state adversary, manage to resist for extended periods or even achieve certain successes, with asymmetry being perhaps more prevalent than ever in the history of military conflicts. By analyzing published works in the field, I have explained and identified arguments supporting the inclusion of unmanned aerial vehicles among the means that can be used in asymmetric warfare. Although, at present, unmanned aerial vehicles do not have the capacity to decisively alter the course of wars, they will continue to be present on the battlefield, accompanied by a continuous evolution in their technological capabilities and operational methodologies

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