‘High volume, low cost’: UNSW study spotlights evolution of drones in warfare
2024-10-30T09:00:00+11:00
Ukrainian Air Intelligence officers practise using a drone.
Photo: Adobe Stock
There are key lessons Australia must learn from the war in Ukraine to retain an edge over adversaries, says a UNSW Canberra analyst.
The war in Ukraine has revolutionised how modern wars are fought, especially in the use of drones and the low cost, high mobility strike capability they offer.
UNSW Canberra academic Dr Oleksandra Molloy has completed an in-depth investigation into the use of drones in the war that will help the Australian Defence Force (ADF) to evaluate drone capability and consider ways to adapt its combat strategies.
Dr Molloy’s research paper, commissioned by the Australian Army Research Centre, has recommendations that will assist the ADF in understanding the strengths and limitations of drones in a combat setting and may inform its future strategies, training and investment.
Dr Molloy, who leads the aviation program at UNSW Canberra, conducted interviews with experts on the ground in Ukraine and in Australia to get the most up-to-date understanding of drone use.
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“The war in Ukraine is the first war that has seen drone warfare on such a large and comprehensive scale,” Dr Molloy said.
The most notable development has been the shift to small, simple drones that can easily be transported and used by forces.
“Drone warfare has become less about technological sophistication and more about the ability to deploy high volume, low-cost technology,” she said.
“Many of the drones used in the current conflict can be operated with a mobile phone and can be armed with a hand grenade and can cause significant destruction.
“The war has demonstrated the importance of the small drone systems. Large systems are typically no longer used, as they are easier to detect and shoot down, and the cost is high.”
There is significant variety in the types of drones being used in Ukraine and their purpose. The stereotypical drone – a small, uncrewed, flying vehicle – is prolific in the war, being used to track enemy forces, identify targets and even drop explosives and other weapons. Other drones have been used to launch long-range strikes deep into Russian territory or for search-and-rescue missions.
There has also been a significant escalation in the use and ability of land- and sea-based drones, which have launched attacks on enemy ships, supported logistics, and laid and scanned for mines.
“Their availability, rapid development, as well as their ease of deployment and use, now make them indispensable in military operations,” Dr Molloy said.
Drones can and have saved human lives in Ukraine, and they also serve as a force and combat multiplier – they are a significant reason why the Ukrainian military has been able to withstand and repel the larger and more sophisticated Russian forces.
The ADF has invested in drone capabilities such as intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) systems and in large, technologically advanced systems, such as the Ghost Bat.
According to the 2024 National Defence Strategy and the 2024 Integrated Investment Program, Australia has committed $300 million over the next four years and $1.1 billion over the next decade to drone and counter-drone capabilities.
Ukraine is estimated to have spent $2 billion on drone production in 2024 alone.
Like Ukraine, Australian allies the US and UK, along with other European and Asian powers, recognise the importance of drones in defence settings and are introducing drone strategies, creating Joint Drone Commands, writing or re-writing doctrines and integrating them in training.
Dr Molloy said the ADF needed to heed the lessons of the war in Ukraine and be prepared to change its approach.
“Drone warfare will remain a central part of any future conflicts, including those Australia may find itself involved in,” Dr Molloy said.
“By maintaining an accelerated cycle of innovation and learning from Ukraine, nations such as Australia have the opportunity to stay ahead of their adversaries, ensuring that they are prepared to meet contemporary and future conflict strategic challenges.”
UNSW Canberra held and event last week to launch Dr Molloy’s research paper and promote its findings to government, industry and dignitaries in attendance, including Ambassador of Ukraine to Australia, Vasyl Myroshnychenko.
Ambassador Myroshnychenko said Ukraine had displayed striking innovation in the use of drones to defend against Russian forces and thanked allies, including Australia, for their support in driving its defence force forward.
“I am grateful to the Government of Australia for joining the Drone Coalition for Ukraine, led by the UK and Latvia, and for making contributions to our military capabilities in the area of uncrewed systems,” he said.
“I look forward to facilitating our closer cooperation to secure the transfer of new knowledge and experience from the battlefield back to Canberra to make sure that Australia is equipped and has the right tools in case of a crisis in the region."
Read Dr Molloy’s research paper Drones in Modern Warfare: Lessons Learnt from the War in Ukraine online.
