The Rise of Drone Warfare in the Ukrainian Conflict
By [Your Name], Staff Writer
The use of drones in modern warfare has rapidly become a focal point in the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia. Nearly two years since the inception of the war, both countries have significantly increased their reliance on unmanned aerial vehicles as a means of tactical advantage.
Ukrainian forces are now deploying up to 10,000 military drones per month, signaling a substantial shift in the nature of modern warfare. Furthermore, there is a growing concern that the lessons learned from this conflict will pave the way for a potential “drone war” on the Korean Peninsula, prompting the need for enhanced drone production and training.
The use of drones in the Ukrainian conflict has not been without its controversies. Russian military installations have reported over 300 drone incidents per day, including encounters with both Ukrainian-manufactured drones and commercially available models. Additionally, there have been documented instances of drones being utilized as both surveillance tools and weapons, posing a significant threat to ground forces.
The Impact of Suicide Drones in Warfare
One of the most striking developments in this conflict is the rise of “suicide drones” – unmanned aerial vehicles designed for autonomous attacks. The Ukrainian military has made extensive use of suicide drones, such as the US-supplied Switchblade, which has proven to be a formidable asset on the battlefield.
Weighing in at 23 kg, the Switchblade is capable of flying 40 km in just 20 minutes before carrying out a targeted suicide attack at speeds exceeding 160 km per hour. The Ukrainian military has utilized this technology to devastating effect, targeting Russian soldiers and military installations with unprecedented precision.
The Future of Drone Warfare
As the Ukrainian conflict continues to evolve, the need for increased drone production and training has become a top priority for the Ukrainian government. Efforts are underway to bolster the country’s drone capabilities, with a goal of mass-producing 200,000 units annually within the year. President Volodymyr Zelensky has emphasized the importance of expanding drone production, citing it as a critical objective for the country’s military strategy.
On the other side, Russia has also shown a concerted effort to enhance its drone capabilities, particularly in the deployment of self-destructing drones. The ongoing conflict has prompted both countries to rapidly adapt to the changing landscape of warfare, creating a pressing need for advanced drone technology.
Preparation for Future Conflict
The intensifying use of drones in the Ukrainian conflict has raised concerns about the potential for a larger-scale “drone war” in the future. Military experts are urging nations to prepare for the widespread use of drones, including suicide drones, in the event of an emergency. The need for preemptive measures, including stockpiling drones and promoting domestic drone production, has become a focal point in the global defense community.
In conclusion, the use of drones in the Ukrainian conflict has ushered in a new era of warfare, characterized by the unprecedented use of unmanned aerial vehicles as weapons. As both Ukraine and Russia adapt to the changing nature of conflict, the role of drones in modern warfare is poised to play a pivotal role in shaping future military strategies.
As the ‘drone war’ intensifies in the Ukrainian war, which is almost 1 year and 10 months since the start of the war, the use of drones by Ukraine and Russia is increasing rapidly. As the use of drones by the Ukrainian army reaches 10,000 units per month, there is also an analysis that ‘a war where drones are used as artillery has become a reality sooner than expected.’ As there is a high possibility of a ‘drone war’ taking place on the Korean Peninsula in the future due to the lessons learned from the Ukraine War and the war between Israel and Hamas, a large number of small drones have been identified. , including self-destructing drones, are secured in normal times and a system capable of mass production should be established in case of emergency.
According to analysis by the Royal Joint Military Establishment and others, the number of Ukrainian military drones being used in the Ukraine war is more than 300 per day, or 10,000 per month. This includes drones shot down by the Russian military’s anti-aircraft and electronic warfare weapons, as well as drones used in suicide attacks. Small commercial (civilian) drones, such as those from China’s DJI, are known to account for a significant proportion.
A photo of a Russian soldier taken just before a Ukrainian army switchblade drone launched a suicide attack on a Russian soldier hiding in a trench. A weapon believed to be an anti-tank or anti-aircraft missile is placed next to the Russian soldier. /Ukraine military SNS video capture
At the beginning of the war, the performance of Turkiye’s Bayraktar TB2 unmanned attack aircraft attracted attention, but many of them were neutralized by the Russian military’s anti-aircraft weapons and electronic warfare. In terms of military suicide drones, the US-supplied Switchblade has been very active. The Switchblade, a product of US company AeroVironment, is known as a loitering suicide drone because it can hover over the target and strike.
Weighing 23 kg, it is carried by infantry and fired from a mortar-like launcher. It flies 40 km in 20 minutes after launch, then hovers over the target for up to 20 minutes, then detects the target and performs a suicide attack at a speed of more than 160 km per hour. There are two types: the Switchblade 300, which is for attacking infantry, and the Switchblade 600, which can neutralize tanks and armored vehicles. The Ukrainian military also released a video of the Switchblade 300 diving towards a Russian soldier in a trench to the point where the soldier’s face could be recognized and then exploding.
As drones are being consumed in larger quantities than expected, Ukraine is putting all its efforts into mass-producing drones. Production is said to be ramped up with the aim of mass production of 200,000 units (annual) within the year. Ukraine did not have much of a base for the development and production of drones until Russia invaded. However, starting last summer, 40 Ukrainian companies began producing their own reconnaissance or attack drones with the support of the government.
Of the 1,700 drones sent by Ukraine to the battlefield last July, 90% were produced domestically, and there were 28 types of drones. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in a video speech, “The production of drones must be further expanded. “This is one of the most important tasks,” he stressed. Ukraine is also strengthening drone pilot training. Currently, 10,000 personnel are being trained, and 17 drone-related units have been launched. The plan is to increase the drone unit to tens of thousands of people within this year.
US soldiers firing switchblades. It is fired using a launcher that looks like a mortar. / US Navy
In response, Russia is also increasing the production of drones and expanding their use in actual combat. Russia has introduced and used a large number of Iranian Shahed-136 drones for self-destruction, with an operational radius of about 2,000 km, and is increasing the use of its own self-destruction drones. Russia is compounding the damage to the Ukrainian military by attacking Lancet suicide drones with autonomous attack capabilities. An analysis showed that from July last year to August last year, the Russian military carried out a total of 507 attacks using Lancet suicide drones, resulting in the complete destruction of 170 targets and serious damage to more than 269 targets.
More than 50% of the attacks focused on Ukrainian artillery, and in fact, 106 self-propelled guns, 131 howitzers and mortars, multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS), and 18 HIMARS provided by the United States were attacked by Lancet suicide drones. Russian President Vladimir Putin met with Sergei Chemezov, CEO of the state defense company Rostech, in August and ordered the production of self-destructing drones to be strengthened.
Experts point out that our country must also quickly prepare for a ‘drone war’ where drones, including suicide drones, will be consumed in large quantities in case of an emergency. Cho Sang-geun, a research professor at KAIST’s National Future Strategy Technology Policy Research Institute, said in a presentation on the topic ‘National Assembly Forum for the Activation of a Global Industry-Related Drone Industry-Academia’ held by Jeonju University on the 6th, “Neutralization of North Korean long artillery is located at the tunnel site on the back slope of the hill. He emphasized, “Suicide-type drones are needed to stop the advance of North Korean armored and mechanized units.”
Hong Yo-seop, CEO of Korea AeroVironment, manufacturer of Switchblade, said, “Due to the crisis on the Korean Peninsula, there will also be a shortage of drone supply in the Indo-Pacific region,” and argued, “Korea should preemptively stockpile 100,000 small drones. ” It also introduced a ‘win-win’ model where battalion- and division-level tactical drones are produced domestically using Korean parts and American technology, and exports are promoted along with the strengthening of the Korean military.
Lancet suicide drones are used in large quantities by Russia in the Ukraine war. It is emerging as a cost-effective weapon for striking artillery units of the Ukrainian army. /Hijack Russian Rostec website
Former Army Chief of Staff Kim Yong-woo also gave a congratulatory speech at the seminar on this day, saying, “Our military’s drone capabilities lag behind those of the United States and China, as well as Turkmenistan and Ukraine, so rapid acquisition and power need to be evaluated rather than developing operational concepts.” He added, “Our military is the best.” “If we quickly introduce and operate high-quality drones, there will be autonomous cooperation between domestic and foreign companies,” he said.
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