By: Oleg VornikOpinion: One of the most striking aspects of the Ukraine war has been the impact of drones. Global audiences have been enthralled by YouTube videos of Russian tanks reduced to flaming wrecks, victims of Ukrainian drones armed with anti-tank grenades or homemade bombs, writes Oleg Vornik, CEO of DroneShield.
Ukraine has also experienced the effects of drone warfare. Its electrical grid has been repeatedly smashed (or interdicted) by waves of cheap Iranian-made drones launched by Russia.
These events in Eastern Europe, while half a world away from the Pacific, provides a glimpse of the threats Australia will likely face in the future.
The upcoming Defence Strategic Review will address how Australia will meet the challenges of a changing political and technological security environment. Much attention will be devoted to crucial systems and capabilities including submarines, aircraft, precision-guided missiles, and even unmanned combat air vehicles (UCAV), such as the Loyal Wingman program.
But as the Ukraine conflict has demonstrated, there are two aspects to drone warfare for which we must be prepared.