India, Pakistan Escalate Drone Skirmishes Amid South Asia Arms Race

Recent conflicts in South Asia and Eastern Europe highlight the growing strategic use of drones in modern warfare. In May, India and Pakistan engaged in unprecedented drone skirmishes, marking a significant shift toward UAV-based military tactics, with India planning to triple its drone investment to $470 million amid a US-brokered ceasefire. Both countries view drones as a way to assert power without risking personnel, despite vulnerabilities related to supply chains linked to China. Meanwhile, Russia has intensified drone attacks against Ukraine, with recent strikes causing civilian casualties and undermining ceasefire efforts, even as prisoner exchanges offer brief cooperation. Russian drone offensives represent some of the most severe aerial assaults since the 2022 invasion, prompting international concern and discussions of additional sanctions. These developments signal a broader trend of drone warfare reshaping geopolitical conflicts and military strategies worldwide.