The Dark Side of DIY Drones: How Online Resources are Fuelling the Modern Warfare

New Delhi, India: On the night of August 29th last year, Ukrainian kamikaze drones executed a daring incursion into Russian territory, penetrating over 370 kilometres to target Russian airfields. This audacious attack destroyed two of Russia’s formidable IL-76 heavy transport aircraft, while two others sustained damage. Concurrently, Ukrainians employed cardboard drones from the Australian firm SYPAQ to inflict damage on a MiG-29 and four Su-30 fighters in Russia’s Kursk Oblast. Additionally, reports indicate Ukraine’s utilization of drones in a mission aimed at neutralizing Russian S-400 and S-300 air-defence systems in Crimea.  

In another conflict zone, across the world, a fleet of drones, available online for as little as $6,500, filled the skies above Israel’s $1 billion border fence. Rigged to carry explosives, these drones were deployed to disrupt surveillance cameras, communications systems, and remote-controlled guns. The cheap and makeshift drones used by the Palestinian Resistance Movement, Hamas, have presented a significant challenge to Israel’s high technology. Despite upgrades to Israel’s Iron Dome system to detect large UAVs, many Hamas drones continue to evade interception.   

The Proliferation of Drone Technology Amongst State and Non-State Actors  

While it's true that military drones often evoke images of sophisticated technology with extensive capabilities, including surveillance and precision targeting, their development typically demands substantial financial investments, access to advanced technology, and time. However, groups like the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) and other violent state and non-state actors (VNSAs) lack these resources. To overcome this disparity, they use consumer market technology to construct or acquire small drones.

Despite their modest size and limited range, these drones can still pose a significant risk when weaponized by VNSAs, capable of causing substantial damage and instilling fear among civilian and military populations. VNSAs utilize drones for various purposes, such as surveillance, strategic communication, smuggling, disrupting events, or enhancing other activities.

Although inexpensive DIY drones, like SYPAQ’s or those used by Hamas, may lack the destructive power of artillery or missiles, recent incidents demonstrate their potential for impactful asymmetric warfare. Even a small fraction of successful drone attacks can yield significant consequences, underscoring the evolving dynamics of modern warfare.

The capability for inexpensive long-range drone strikes is not new. Since around 2012, covert actors have possessed the technology to conduct affordable, long-range drone strikes, enabling them to penetrate deep into enemy territory, evade defences, and precisely target military assets. However, operationalizing this technology has traditionally required overcoming substantial challenges, particularly in contested battlefield environments.  

Both state and non-state actors are advancing their expertise in three key areas: disseminating knowledge, overcoming technical hurdles, and establishing companies to mass-produce comprehensive solutions. Despite facing obstacles, many non-state actors are achieving remarkable progress. For instance, the Islamic State has initiated a fledgling fixed-wing DIY drone program, while Syrian insurgents are believed to have utilized similar drones in an assault on the Russian airbase at Khmeimim in January 2018. Additionally, Yemeni Houthis have employed both aerial drones and autonomous boats in attacks against Saudi targets.  

The Online Menace 

In an age where information is readily available at our fingertips, the dark side of modern warfare has found a new ally in the form of online resources. While the internet has revolutionized communication, commerce, and education, it has also facilitated the dissemination of knowledge that can be exploited for nefarious purposes. One such alarming trend is the accessibility to potentially dangerous DIY drones, which pose a significant threat to global security.  

The proliferation of DIY drone technology has been fueled by the accessibility of online resources, ranging from instructional videos and forums to open-source software and hardware specifications. What was once the domain of military and government agencies has now become accessible to anyone with an internet connection and a willingness to learn. This democratization of technology has levelled the playing field, allowing non-state actors and individuals with malicious intent to develop and deploy drones for a myriad of purposes, including surveillance, smuggling, and even targeted attacks.

One of the most concerning aspects of this phenomenon is the ease with which individuals can acquire the components necessary to build a DIY drone. From off-the-shelf quadcopter kits to 3D-printed parts and advanced flight controllers, the building blocks of a sophisticated drone are readily available online and can be purchased with relative anonymity. Coupled with the wealth of instructional resources available, even those with limited technical expertise can assemble and operate a drone capable of causing harm.  

Furthermore, the anonymity afforded by the internet has facilitated the formation of online communities dedicated to the development and dissemination of DIY drone technology. These communities provide a platform for like-minded individuals to share knowledge, collaborate on projects, and even coordinate attacks. While many members may be driven by curiosity or a desire to explore the capabilities of drone technology, there is a subset that harbours more sinister intentions, seeking to exploit drones for criminal or terrorist activities.

The potential consequences of this trend are profound and far-reaching. From the threat of surveillance and privacy violations to the risk of physical harm and infrastructure damage, DIY drones represent a new frontier in asymmetric warfare. As governments and law enforcement agencies grapple with this emerging threat, they must recognize the role of online resources in fueling the dark side of modern warfare and take proactive measures to mitigate the risks.  

The Critical Need to Limit Online Drone Resources 

The accessibility of online resources has democratized access to DIY drone technology, empowering individuals and non-state actors to develop and deploy drones for potentially dangerous purposes.   

To tackle this challenge, it is crucial to implement measures focusing on tightening controls over the sale and modification of drone components, bolstering enforcement capabilities, and fostering international collaboration to establish standardized protocols for drone operations. Therefore, a lack of swift and decisive action would leave the global community vulnerable to unforeseen consequences, emphasizing the critical need for coordinated efforts to mitigate this growing threat.