Drone Warfare Opens New Chapter in India-Pakistan Conflict
The world’s first drone war has erupted in South Asia, as nuclear-armed neighbors India and Pakistan engage in a new phase of military confrontation.
On Thursday, India accused Pakistan of launching waves of drones and missiles at three military bases inside Indian territory and Indian-administered Kashmir, though Islamabad swiftly denied the claims. Pakistan, in turn, reported it had shot down 25 Indian drones over several cities in recent hours. Delhi has so far remained silent on this matter.
Experts note that this tit-for-tat exchange signals a dangerous escalation in the longstanding rivalry between the two countries, with drone technology now playing a central role. As global powers, including the US, urge restraint, the conflict is at a critical point.
Jahara Matisek, a professor at the US Naval War College, told the BBC, “The Indo-Pak conflict is entering a new era of drone warfare, where unmanned precision will shape escalation and battlefield outcomes.”
Pakistan claims that Indian airstrikes and shelling have killed 36 people and injured 57 more in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir. India reports at least 16 civilian deaths from Pakistani shelling. India states its missile barrage was in retaliation for a deadly militant attack in Pahalgam last month, which Islamabad denies involvement in.
Pakistan’s military says it downed 25 Indian drones, including the Israeli-made Harop, over cities like Karachi, Lahore, and Rawalpindi, using a combination of technical and weapons-based countermeasures. India reportedly destroyed several Pakistani air defense systems, though Islamabad denies this.
Drones, precision missiles, and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) have become essential in modern warfare, allowing for precise strikes and advanced surveillance. Analysts explain that India’s drone fleet largely consists of Israeli reconnaissance UAVs, such as the IAI Searcher and Heron, alongside Harop loitering munitions capable of precision attacks. India is also boosting its capabilities with a $4 billion deal to acquire 31 MQ-9B Predator drones from the US.
Pakistan’s drone arsenal is described as extensive, comprising over 1,000 drones sourced from China, Turkey, and local manufacturers. Its inventory includes the Chinese CH-4, Turkish Bayraktar Akinci, and Pakistan’s indigenous Burraq and Shahpar drones.
Experts suggest that while the current drone exchanges are significant, they are still limited compared to the large-scale drone warfare seen in Ukraine. However, any further escalation could change the nature of the conflict dramatically.