Answer: Sir, a drone is any machine that does not have a pilot in it. Thus, the drones are operated by software or by a remote pilot. The term UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) generally refers to any military aircraft operated without a pilot that can be reused. However, most people use the term drone for any unmanned aircraft.
It is an inexpensive way to inflict damage and casualty on any adversary. Small drones have been used since mid-2019 to courier weapons, explosives, and drugs to Punjab & Jammu & Kashmir from across the border in Pakistan. The terrorists have moved to next level by striking an Air Force base from a distance. Other military bases and civilian infrastructure like oil refineries could be targeted. There is also danger of terrorists using drones to deliver biological or chemical weapons.
DRDO has developed two anti-drone Directed Energy Weapons (DEW) systems. These are 10-kilowatt laser to engage aerial targets at 2 km and the second one is a compact tripod mounted DEW with a 2-kilowatt laser for 1 km range. They are already deployed and can be used widely.
India is also using Israeli “Smash-2000 plus” computerised fire control and electro-optic sights, which are mounted on guns and rifles against small drones. The Radars are effective against large drones and there are possibilities of small drones escaping detection specially during clouding. Hence, the way forward is to cover all military and vital civilian installations with jamming & spoofing systems to disrupt the satellite or video command and control links of such drones. The military installations should also be covered with automatic rapid firing small arms and laser-based weapons for hard kills.