4 January 2026

Drone Warfare in South Asia

Betzalel Newman • Jupiter Huang

Drones have reshaped the battlefield in several recent conflicts, most notably in the Russia-Ukraine war, but also in the May India-Pakistan crisis. Over their four days of fighting, India and Pakistan used a variety of drone systems for gathering intelligence, carrying out attacks, and playing other supporting roles.

This conflict marked the first time India and Pakistan used drones in major combat roles, and unmanned systems are likely to remain a key component of both sides’ arsenals for years to come. To make sense of these capabilities, the Strategic Learning team interviewed five drone warfare experts on drone technologies, their current and future role in South Asian security, and their potential consequences for strategic stability and escalation dynamics in the region.

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