Que : Drone-based technology has done a good job for human welfare, but its misuse risks creating a new ‘security threat’ for the country. Discuss.

 Drone is a remotely controlled ‘unmanned aircraft system’. According to a survey, the production of drones is increasing by (66%) every year. (Market-oriented utility)

• Benefits of drones to mankind:
•  Health sector:

• Delivering essential medicines, vaccines, diagnostic kits, blood units etc. to remote areas.

• Recently, the experiment of delivering medicines through drones has been successful.

•  Agriculture sector

• Provides productivity and income-oriented assurance to farmers through crop evaluation, digitalization of land records, spraying fertilizers and pesticides as well as transportation-related utilities.

• Disaster management
• Surveying disaster-prone areas and conducting rescue operations in such areas

           e.g. earthquake, fire, flood etc.

• Infrastructure Projects:

•  Judiciary plays a vital role in protecting the rights of minorities and marginalized groups, who may be particularly vulnerable to violations of fundamental rights.
•  For evaluation and implementation of such schemes and for checking illegal encroachments etc. e.g. LIDAR survey
•  For efficient utilization of resources, monitoring and assessment of property taxes and their effective distribution
•  For security of public places and crowd management through drones. e.g. Drone patrolling by police

Thus, drone technology has made a valuable contribution in various fields for the welfare of mankind. However, its misuse poses some security threats to the country.

• Security Threats:

1. Terrorism:

• For smuggling of weapons, arms and movement of goods across border areas

• e.g. Drone attack on Jammu Air Base

2. Drug smuggling:

• Drug smuggling like heroin, LSD, cocaine through drones for drug exchange in border states like West Bengal, Punjab, etc.

3. Espionage:

• Other enemy countries can monitor India through drones.

• Like, Chinese drone activity in Pangog-Tso Lake (Ladakh) area

4. Internal Security:

• Use of drones by Naxalites.

• Different drone capabilities in military power of countries etc..

 The government has made some efforts to prevent such attacks. Like,

 National Drone Policy, 2021

 Unmanned Aircraft Systems Rules, 2021

 Drone detection systems: Radar, Thermal Imaging.

                     Thus, India should accurately assess the potential of drone technology, ensure its role in serving the welfare of humanity, and invest in research and development to prevent its misuse.