Written by: Federico Favia
Supervised by: Elise Alsteens, Kevin Whitehead
Edited by: Theodora Posta
Abstract:
The proliferation of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), commonly referred to as drones, is driving the evolution of hybrid warfare, which blends conventional and unconventional military tactics. These versatile and often low-cost assets have introduced a powerful tool for state and non-state actors, enabling them to conduct surveillance, gather intelligence, and even carry out sabotage operations with a degree of deniability. Recent drone-related incidents, such as Russia’s provocative actions across Europe, along with the widespread use of UAVs in battlefields like Ukraine, demonstrate the importance of addressing drone incursions as a critical transnational security concern. Building resilience in this rapidly evolving field, however, requires awareness of the most prominent types and uses of UAVs, as well as the future trajectories of drone-enabled threats. This way, militaries can effectively integrate advanced technological and intelligence capabilities with traditional deterrence methods, and the EU can credibly roll out its Defence Readiness Roadmap to meet security challenges ahead with unity and resolve.
