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The drone strike at IAF Jammu base marks a paradigm shift in the nature of the threat and counter measures. This indicates that India's approach will have to be dynamic. Instead of a defensive posture like in the past, India will have to be on the offensive.
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Gaurav C Sawant New DelhiJune 28, 2021UPDATED: June 28, 2021 22:32 IST
The use of drones by terrorists to target IAF Jammu base marks a paradigm shift in the nature of the threat and counter measures. (Reuters | Representative image)
The drone strike at Indian Air Force (IAF) Jammu base followed by two drone sightings at Ratnuchak and Kaluchak military stations are clear indicators that terrorists have upped the game and are using technology to remain one step ahead of the security forces.
The use of drones by terrorists to target IAF Jammu base marks a paradigm shift in the nature of the threat and counter measures. Not only are vital assets and vital points vulnerable but so are military convoys.
In Pulwama (February 2019), terrorists had to crash a vehicle-borne IED (improved explosive device) into a convoy to cause casualties. But drone-mounted IEDs give terrorists the advantage of launching an attack from a safe stand-off distance. It makes detection, identification, investigation and catching the perpetrators even more difficult.
Not every convoy can move with jammers and not every military station or air base can have foolproof anti-drone attack systems in place.
ALSO READ | Use of drones for terrorism | DECODED
Additionally, the threat gets even bigger as terrorists have in the past attacked market places, temples and trains. Every inch of the ground from cricket stadium to cinema halls cannot have an anti-drone system.
India's approach will have to be dynamic. Instead of a defensive posture like in the past, India will have to be on the offensive.
Balakot was a game changer in more ways than one. This was the first time that the IAF aircraft crossed not just the Line of Control (LoC) but the international border without declaration of war to bomb enemy territory.
ALSO READ | Why the Jammu airbase attack is worrying
It sent out a very clear message to Pakistan that terrorism was no longer a low-cost option for it. The Pakistan Army and Pakistan Air Force lost face and Pakistani aircraft did not dare come close to the LoC the next day even to retaliate.
India will have to fight fire with fire. Instead of spending billions of dollars to buy protection just for a few air bases, military stations or areas, let the enemy remain under threat of India's retaliatory offensive measures.
Classic Indian response would be to duck and cover and waste billions of dollars on anti-drone systems. India should make the enemy feel frightened about protecting their meagre assets.
ALSO READ | Drone strike on Jammu air base: Did India know about the threat?
The response can take its own sweet time. But when state sponsors of terror bleed, they realise terrorism is not a low-cost option.
Simultaneously, India must use its engineers and innovators to come up with innovative technology to break radio frequency signals for drones that terrorists may use. A defensive mindset helps. But an offensive mindset helps even in the long run.
India's enemies will not want peace in Jammu and Kashmir. The attacks on police officers and drone strikes in Jammu are an attempt to ensure 2021 becomes a summer of trouble again. But if there is more trouble for the perpetrators of terror, it will not have the bandwidth to create trouble for us.
(Views expressed are personal)
Live TV
Drone threat: India must adopt offensive not defensive mindset | OPINION - Opinion Columns News (indiatoday.in)
ADVERTISEMENT
Gaurav C Sawant New DelhiJune 28, 2021UPDATED: June 28, 2021 22:32 IST
The use of drones by terrorists to target IAF Jammu base marks a paradigm shift in the nature of the threat and counter measures. (Reuters | Representative image)
The drone strike at Indian Air Force (IAF) Jammu base followed by two drone sightings at Ratnuchak and Kaluchak military stations are clear indicators that terrorists have upped the game and are using technology to remain one step ahead of the security forces.
The use of drones by terrorists to target IAF Jammu base marks a paradigm shift in the nature of the threat and counter measures. Not only are vital assets and vital points vulnerable but so are military convoys.
In Pulwama (February 2019), terrorists had to crash a vehicle-borne IED (improved explosive device) into a convoy to cause casualties. But drone-mounted IEDs give terrorists the advantage of launching an attack from a safe stand-off distance. It makes detection, identification, investigation and catching the perpetrators even more difficult.
Not every convoy can move with jammers and not every military station or air base can have foolproof anti-drone attack systems in place.
ALSO READ | Use of drones for terrorism | DECODED
Additionally, the threat gets even bigger as terrorists have in the past attacked market places, temples and trains. Every inch of the ground from cricket stadium to cinema halls cannot have an anti-drone system.
India's approach will have to be dynamic. Instead of a defensive posture like in the past, India will have to be on the offensive.
Balakot was a game changer in more ways than one. This was the first time that the IAF aircraft crossed not just the Line of Control (LoC) but the international border without declaration of war to bomb enemy territory.
ALSO READ | Why the Jammu airbase attack is worrying
It sent out a very clear message to Pakistan that terrorism was no longer a low-cost option for it. The Pakistan Army and Pakistan Air Force lost face and Pakistani aircraft did not dare come close to the LoC the next day even to retaliate.
India will have to fight fire with fire. Instead of spending billions of dollars to buy protection just for a few air bases, military stations or areas, let the enemy remain under threat of India's retaliatory offensive measures.
Classic Indian response would be to duck and cover and waste billions of dollars on anti-drone systems. India should make the enemy feel frightened about protecting their meagre assets.
ALSO READ | Drone strike on Jammu air base: Did India know about the threat?
The response can take its own sweet time. But when state sponsors of terror bleed, they realise terrorism is not a low-cost option.
Simultaneously, India must use its engineers and innovators to come up with innovative technology to break radio frequency signals for drones that terrorists may use. A defensive mindset helps. But an offensive mindset helps even in the long run.
India's enemies will not want peace in Jammu and Kashmir. The attacks on police officers and drone strikes in Jammu are an attempt to ensure 2021 becomes a summer of trouble again. But if there is more trouble for the perpetrators of terror, it will not have the bandwidth to create trouble for us.
(Views expressed are personal)
Live TV
Drone threat: India must adopt offensive not defensive mindset | OPINION - Opinion Columns News (indiatoday.in)
