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Business Recorder
4 days ago
- Business Recorder
The time of the hawks
We have entered 'the time of the hawks'an era where the traditional calculus of conflict has been rewritten by silicon and steel. The first casualty of the next war may not be truth, it may be the soldier himself. In command centers from Tampa to Tel Aviv, military operators sit before banks of glowing screens, their fingers moving across keyboards as they pilot death machines prowling the skies thousands of miles away. This is the revolution that arrived not with fanfare but with the quiet hum of rotors. Warfare has gone airborne, algorithmic, and increasingly autonomous. The psychology of warfare itself is being rewritten when combatants never see their enemies, never hear the screams, never smell the smoke. The transformation began quietly enough. When the first primitive drones took flight over Afghanistan two decades ago, they were little more than remote-controlled toys with cameras. Today, the American MQ-9 Reaper can loiter over a target for 27 hours straight. Its Hellfire missiles and laser-guided bombs awaiting orders from operators who might be sipping coffee in Nevada while surveying a battlefield in Somalia. The Turkish Bayraktar TB2 has become the AK-47 of drone warfare, cheap, effective, and proliferating rapidly across global conflict zones. From the deserts of Libya to the trenches of Ukraine, this $5 million unmanned predator has proven that air superiority no longer requires billion-dollar fighter jets or decades of pilot training. But hardware is only part of the story. The real revolution lies in the algorithms that increasingly guide these birds. Artificial intelligence now processes targeting data, identifies threats, and even suggests engagement protocols faster than any human commander could comprehend. The Pentagon's Project Maven uses machine learning to analyse drone footage, automatically flagging potential targets from hours of surveillance video. Chinese military researchers speak of 'intelligent swarms'coordinated fleets of drones that operate with minimal human oversight, sharing data instantaneously and adapting their tactics in real-time. This isn't science fiction, it is the current state of military technology, advancing at a pace that makes traditional defence planning obsolete within months rather than years. The implications stretch far beyond the battlefield. The RQ-4 Global Hawk, soaring at 60,000 feet for over 30 hours, can photograph an area the size of South Korea in a single flight, its sensors capable of reading license plates from the edge of space. This is surveillance capitalism weaponised, the same technologies that track your online shopping habits now determine the fate of nations. This technological arms race has created a new form of global stratification. Nations fall into distinct categories: the hawks, who dominate the skies with advanced drone fleets and AI-powered command systems; the hunters, who invest heavily in electronic warfare capabilities to jam, hijack, or destroy unmanned systems; and the hunted, who find themselves outmatched by adversaries they cannot see, let alone fight effectively. China's investment in military AI research now rivals America's, while smaller nations like Turkey and Israel have become drone-warfare exporters, selling their battlefield-tested technologies to the highest bidders. The economic dimensions are staggering. A single F-35 fighter jet costs over $100 million and requires a pilot trained over many years at enormous expense. That same budget could purchase twenty Bayraktar TB2 drones, each capable of operating continuously with minimal human oversight. For cash-strapped militaries, the mathematics is compelling, why maintain expensive human pilots when algorithms can fly faster, longer, and without the complications of food, sleep, or post-traumatic stress? Yet this technological revolution carries profound risks that policymakers are only beginning to understand. When warfare becomes increasingly automated, the threshold for conflict inevitably lowers. It's easier to launch a drone strike than to deploy troops, easier to escalate when your own forces face no immediate physical risk. The Cuban Missile Crisis lasted thirteen days partly because both Kennedy and Khrushchev understood that any miscalculation could result in nuclear annihilation. But what happens when an AI system misidentifies a school bus as a military transport, triggering an international incident before any human realizes what occurred? The emerging doctrine of 'algorithmic warfare' also raises uncomfortable questions about accountability and the laws of armed conflict. When an autonomous weapon system kills civilians, who bears responsibility, the programmer who wrote the code, the commander who deployed the system, or the politician who authorised its use? International humanitarian law struggles to address scenarios where machines make life-and-death decisions faster than humans can comprehend, let alone control. Perhaps most unsettling is how this transformation mirrors broader technological trends. The same artificial intelligence that powers military drones also drives autonomous vehicles, medical diagnostics, and financial trading systems. The line between civilian and military technology continues to blur as dual-use innovations migrate seamlessly between Silicon Valley startups and Pentagon research labs. Today's video game engine becomes tomorrow's military simulation, today's delivery drone becomes tomorrow's weapons platform. The time of the hawks represents more than a military revolution, it is a fundamental shift in how power is projected, conflicts are waged, and societies prepare for an uncertain future. Nations that fail to adapt find themselves not merely outgunned but operating in an entirely different paradigm of warfare. The choice facing governments worldwide is stark, invest in the technologies and training necessary to compete in this new arena, or accept a subordinate role in a world where digital hawks rule the skies. As military commanders, technology executives, and political leaders grapple with these changes, one thing remains clear, the age of drone warfare is not approaching, it has arrived. The question is no longer whether artificial intelligence will reshape conflict, but how quickly nations can adapt to a reality where wars are won and lost by those who best harness the marriage of silicon and steel. In this new era, power belongs not to those with the largest armies, but to those who command the most sophisticated swarms of digital predators circling overhead, waiting for orders that may never require human approval. The article does not necessarily reflect the opinion of Business Recorder or its owners
Morocco World
5 days ago
- Business
- Morocco World
Report: Morocco Eyes Defense Autonomy Through Local Production
Rabat – A new report by the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung and Morocco's Global Governance & Sovereignty Foundation provides a detailed look at Morocco's evolving military strategy. Faced with mounting regional pressure, Morocco has turned its focus to advanced air systems and the long-term goal of building a sovereign defense industry. The report names Algeria as Morocco's chief rival, as it ranks among the world's top three military spenders in terms of Gross Domestic Product (GDP). As a counter, Morocco has pursued a high-tech, targeted approach, favoring drones, helicopters, artillery, and missile defense systems over sheer volume. Drones, rapid surveillance In recent years, the Royal Armed Forces (FAR) have stepped up efforts to strengthen aerial surveillance and quick-response capabilities. In 2021, Morocco purchased 13 Bayraktar TB2 drones from Turkey for around $70 million, later adding six more units. These unmanned aircraft have since played a key role in tracking separatist activity in the south and patrolling remote border areas. In 2023, Rabat finalized an agreement for the more advanced Bayraktar Akinci drones. Though the number of units remains undisclosed, the report confirms the first deliveries have already taken place. The move is part of Morocco's shift toward air-centric gear that matches the terrain and the nature of the threats it faces, ranging from cross-border infiltration to external backing of separatist groups. Laying the groundwork for local defense production The report also cites Morocco's bid to stem its reliance on foreign suppliers. In early 2025, Turkish drone manufacturer Baykar announced plans to open a production and maintenance plant in Morocco. This came just months after Morocco signed a deal with India's Tata Advanced Systems to locally produce WhAP 8×8 armored vehicles. Imports from countries like the US, Israel, Turkey, China, and France feed into a strategy of supplier diversification, which the report calls essential to avoid overdependence and navigate shifts in international alliances. However, Morocco still faces hurdles in establishing an autonomous defense industry. The report points to gaps in advanced manufacturing, engineering skills, and local component production. It urges investment in training programs, industrial hubs, and a long-term vision for defense autonomy. Naval power, cyber defense lag behind Maritime security also figures into Morocco's broader strategic ambitions, especially given its role in monitoring the Strait of Gibraltar. The report calls for future expenditure in modern frigates and a clear national maritime strategy. Some steps have already been set in motion. The expansion of the Tangier-Med port, a maritime surveillance center launched in 2011, and the naval base at Ksar Sghir show Morocco's growing naval ambition. A new patrol vessel, built by Spanish company Navantia, is expected to join the Royal Navy in the coming months. At the same time, cyber defense continues to be a weak link. The report cautions that Morocco is still unprepared to counter cyber threats and calls for the creation of a dedicated cybercommand. With the country's tech sector expanding, the report sees room to train experts in cyber operations and build capacity for hybrid warfare. According to the report, alliances with partners such as NATO could help speed up this process and strengthen Morocco's defenses against misinformation campaigns and infrastructure attacks. Morocco cut its military spending by 26% in 2024, according to a recent report from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). Despite the drop, Morocco continues to rely heavily on the US for its defense needs, with American suppliers making up 64% of total arms imports. Across the region, Algeria also scaled back its purchases by a stark 73%, but its overall imports still outpaced Morocco's. Tags: military defenseMoroccoMorocco military
Ya Biladi
5 days ago
- Business
- Ya Biladi
Morocco's airpower grows, but gaps remain in naval forces and defense industry
A recent study by the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung Foundation and the Moroccan think tank Global Governance & Sovereignty Foundation analyzed the quality of weaponry acquired by Morocco. The report highlights that the «biggest rival is Morocco's immediate neighbor Algeria, which ranks third globally in military spending-to-GDP ratio behind only Ukraine and Israel». In response to this threat to its territorial integrity, the kingdom has adopted a «deliberate transition toward high-tech, interoperablesystems to ensure territorial integrity», notably acquiring AH-64 Apache helicopters, drones, artillery, and missile defense systems. Alongside facing an Algerian military budget expected to reach $23 billion by 2025, Rabat must also counter «separatist activities in the South, supported by external actors», which demands «surveillance and rapid-response capabilities tailored to the terrain». In April 2021, the Royal Armed Forces ordered 13 Bayraktar TB2 drones for around $70 million, later adding six more in a follow-up contract. These combat drones are «ideal for monitoring separatist movements and border threats». Towards a Sovereign Defense Industry The report notes that Morocco received «its first batch of Bayraktar Akinci drones, with reports indicating an order of an undisclosed number as part of an agreement signed in 2023». These purchases from international suppliers—including the US, Israel, Turkey, and China—are complemented by efforts to develop a domestic military industry. Turkish drone manufacturer Baykar, producer of the TB2 and Akinci drones, announced plans to open a maintenance and production facility in Morocco in early 2025. This followed the signing of a partnership on September 27, 2024, between the National Defense Administration and Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) to locally produce the WhAP 8x8 land combat vehicle. Recent acquisitions underscore Morocco's commitment to advanced capabilities, especially in artillery. The Israeli Atmos 2000, a 155mm howitzer with a range of up to 41 kilometers, offers rapid deployment and high mobility, making it well-suited for Morocco's desert terrain. This complements the 36 Caesar howitzers purchased from France in 2022. The report also highlights the Royal Armed Forces' «managing supplier diversity», stressing the importance of avoiding overreliance on a single partner to maintain resilience amid shifting global alliances that could threaten access to critical technologies. However, international partnerships alone aren't enough to build a sovereign defense industry. «Morocco still faces gaps in advanced manufacturing capabilities and skilled labor», the report warns. «Producing components locally for systems like Caesar artillery or Patriot PAC-3 requires precision engineering expertise, an area where Morocco is still developing capacity. To bridge these gaps, Morocco must invest in a broader vision of a sovereign defense industry, requiring specialized programs to train engineers and technicians and establish innovation hubs in industrial zones, aligning with its vision of industrial autonomy». Developing Morocco's Naval Capabilities These acquisitions enable Morocco «to play a central role in regional stability and international security cooperation, aligning with its long-term vision of leadership and sovereignty». Beyond cutting-edge weaponry, «Morocco's diplomatic neutrality enables it to facilitate dialogue between conflicting Sahel blocs». The kingdom also plays a «vital role in securing the maritime space, particularly with regard to transatlantic security and the Strait of Gibraltar», the report adds. Achieving this requires significant investment in naval capabilities. «Morocco must prioritize future investments in naval assets, such as acquiring multi-purpose frigates with anti-submarine and air defense capabilities, and develop a maritime strategy», the report emphasizes. Since the early years of King Mohammed VI's reign, Morocco has positioned itself as a key player in securing maritime traffic through the Strait of Gibraltar—evidenced by the Tangier-Med port, the inauguration of the Tangier Maritime Traffic Surveillance Center in December 2011, and the construction of the Ksar Sghir naval base. In the coming months, the Royal Navy will be further strengthened with the delivery of a new patrol vessel ordered from Spanish shipbuilder Navantia. Addressing Gaps in Cybersecurity The report also calls on Morocco to bolster «its naval capabilities and developing expertise in hybrid warfare, particularly in cyber operations, to fill gaps in its defense architecture and counter emerging challenges. Cyberattacks against critical infrastructure, necessitates a robust cyber army. Morocco could establish a dedicated cyber command, leveraging its capabilities with a growing technology sector, to train specialists in cyber operations».
Indian Express
12-06-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Drone warfare came home during Op Sindoor. Where does India stand?
On July 1, 2021, then Army Chief General M M Naravane had warned: 'While we pursue our quest for niche technologies, including AI, it would be prudent to remember that future wars will also involve low technology, which is easy to obtain but difficult to defeat.' These words ring truer than ever in the context of two recent events. On June 1, Ukraine bombed five airbases deep inside Russia using cheap First Person View (FPV) drones, underlining the need to fundamentally reimagine air defences in the age of asymmetric drone warfare. Weeks earlier in May, during the hostilities in the wake of Operation Sindoor, Pakistan had attacked towns and military facilities across India's western front, from Baramulla to Barmer, with swarm after swarm of relatively low cost, low tech drones for four straight days. Apart from inflicting damage, these attacks were meant to overwhelm India's air defences, clutter radars, exhaust ammunition, gather intelligence, and probe for vulnerabilities. Drones, a brief history Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) date back to World War II and the Korean War, where they were used for training anti-aircraft gunners and in specific offensive missions. Their modern military usage took off in the 1990s, after being successfully deployed in the Gulf War of 1991. The Nagorno-Karabakh conflict of 2020 marked a turning point in drone warfare: Azerbaijan's use of Turkish Bayraktar TB2 and Israeli Harop drones devastated Armenian defences, decisively shifting the conflict's dynamics in favour of Baku. 🔴 Yemen, where Houthi rebels targeted Saudi oil infrastructure using drone swarms; 🔴 Gaza, where Israel has deployed high-tech drones for surveillance and strikes, and Hamas has used drones for grenades and observation; and 🔴 Ukraine, where both Moscow and Kyiv have deployed commercial quadcopters (DJI drones), military drones (Bayraktar TB2, Orlan-10, Shahed-136), and loitering munitions. Ukraine has notably used 'first-person view' (FPV) racing drones to target tanks, chase individual soldiers and small units, and, most notably, bomb Russian air bases. On June 1, Ukraine carried out Operation Spider's Web, one of the most sophisticated drone operations in history, using 100–150 FPV drones, transported clandestinely in trucks deep into Russia. The target: five key Russian airfields. Ukrainian officials claim to have hit more than 40 Russian aircraft, including strategic bombers like the Tu-22 and Tu-95, and inflicted losses of around $7 billion. Meanwhile, Russia throughout the war has used Iranian-made Shahed kamikaze drones in swarms to overwhelm Ukrainian air defenses, and target critical infrastructure such as energy grids. Not one, not two… Swarm drones are autonomous or semi-autonomous UAVs that operate in coordinated groups, much like swarms of birds or fish. They communicate via wireless networks and adjust in real time to achieve shared objectives. Swarms are more resilient than traditional drones due to in-built redundancy — even if one drone is intercepted, others can continue on the mission. Drone swarms are thus used to saturate air defences (a few payloads may sneak through even robust defences), gathering intelligence, and attacking high-value targets. Countries are already developing even more lethal AI-driven swarm drones, capable of making real-time decisions, adapting tactics mid-mission, and coordinating more complex manoeuvres. These are expected to become integral to combined arms warfare, functioning alongside infantry, armour, and cyber units. According to Fortune Business Insights, the global military drone market stood at $14.14 billion in 2023, and is projected to hit $47.16 billion by 2032. Threat of swarms Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, in a lecture in Pune, flagged the rising drone threat: 'Now we have drones as small as water bottles — and in swarms,' he said, calling these 'undetectable' and 'untargetable'. Air Marshal Anil Chopra (retd), former head of the Centre for Air Power Studies, said that while drone swarms deployed by Pakistan were not particularly effective, the Ukraine example offers some major learnings. 'When you use very cheap drones that carry warheads barely weighing a kilo — like Pakistan did — nothing much happens. They're jammed easily… Only a fool would fire expensive missiles at them,' Chopra told The Indian Express. But swarm drone attacks can be carried out anywhere, and at any time. 'If someone moves a truck full of drones near an airbase and launches them [like in the case of Op Spider's Web], defending becomes very difficult. In countries like India, with porous borders and diverse populations, the threat is real,' he said. Chopra emphasised upon the need for integration across the security establishment. 'Your intelligence setup, even the local police, matter. Even a traffic constable could make a difference,' he said, adding that the success of the Ukraine op was predicated on Kyiv being able to transport its drones thousands of kilometres inside Russia undetected. 'Strategic thinking, inventory management — everything must evolve. A $1,000 drone damaging a $200 million aircraft is our new reality,' Chopra said. Countering drone threats Defence against drones begins with detection. Modern systems employ a mix of AESA radars, electro-optical and infrared sensors, acoustic detectors, and AI-powered fusion systems. Once detected, one option is for drones to be neutralised through kinetic means, that is, with missiles and anti-aircraft guns. But traditional kinetic air defences, especially surface-to-air missiles (SAMs), are costly, and less effective against swarms. Automated gun systems such as C-RAM and Phalanx, which track targets and fire autonomously, are preferred in this role. Even more cost-effective alternatives include: Directed Energy Weapons (DEWs): Lasers and microwave pulses that disable drones by damaging sensors or frying electronics; Electronic Warfare (EW): Jamming GPS signals or communication links; Spoofing: Misleading drones about their location or issuing false commands; Cyber Attacks: Taking control of drones and crash them by exploiting software vulnerabilities; and Interceptor drones & nets: For close-range neutralisation, protecting critical assets. The asymmetry in cost remains the central challenge in anti-drone warfare. A drone swarm costing roughly $100,000 might take millions of dollars to neutralise with currently available technology. This is why nations, including India, are investing in more cost-effective solutions like EW and DEWs. The ideal defence is a layered system, integrating multiple modes of interception for redundancy and cost-efficiency purposes. Examples include Israel's Iron Dome and the US's Directed Energy M-SHORAD. India's capabilities Since 2020, India has ramped up its counter-drone infrastructure, deploying a layered defence that blends indigenous technology, EW, and air defence systems. Key systems include: Akashteer Air Defence Control System: Developed by Bharat Electronics Ltd, it integrates with the Indian Air Force's integrated command network for real-time tracking; Bhargavastra: Solar Defence and Aerospace Ltd's weapon system fires 64 micro-rockets in salvos to eliminate drone swarms; DRDO's Anti-Drone System: It offers 360-degree radar coverage, with both jamming (soft kill) and laser (hard kill) capabilities. Drones can be detected up to 4 km away, and neutralised within a 1 km radius; and Indrajaal: An AI-powered grid from a Hyderabad startup that combines jammers, spoofers, and intelligence to protect areas up to 4,000 sq km. Already deployed at naval sites in Gujarat and Karnataka. During the May 2025 swarm attacks, the IAF activated its Integrated Counter-UAS Grid, alongside conventional radars, guns, and missiles, neutralising attempted strikes on 15 military bases and several urban targets. Looking ahead There is currently a race to develop both drone and anti-drone capabilities. 'Even the Iranians are producing more than 20 Shahed drones per day. And these are powerful. India too has set up an ecosystem with 550 startups in the field. Some tech is acquired, but we're developing our own tech too,' Chopra said. The future of warfare is here, and it's unmanned, AI-driven and asymmetric. India's response to the May 2025 drone swarms signals it is rapidly adapting to this future. As CDS Chauhan put it: 'We are at a cusp where war may be between humans and machines — and tomorrow, between machines themselves. Machines that are autonomous, intelligent, and make decisions. We may need a layered and resilient defence system [to counter] this.' With inputs from Amrita Nayak Dutta
News18
09-06-2025
- Politics
- News18
India's Strikes Hit Nur Khan Airbase Tied To Nuke Sites, Pakistan Insiders Confirm Damage
Last Updated: Nur Khan Airbase is widely regarded as a multipurpose backbone of the Pakistan Air Force Pakistan's Nur Khan Airbase, which is considered a critical node in its military infrastructure, sustained significant damage in India's precision strike during Operation Sindoor, satellite images have confirmed. Nur Khan Airbase, located just 25 km from Islamabad and adjacent to Pakistan Army Headquarters and its nuclear command facilities, is widely regarded as a multipurpose backbone of the Pakistan Air Force (PAF). It houses elite VIP transport fleets, mobile command centres, surveillance aircraft, and Turkish Bayraktar TB2 drones. Crucially, the base is suspected to be linked to Pakistan's nuclear oversight and mobility networks. Intelligence sources confirm that Indian strikes targeted key infrastructure including runways, radar stations, hangars, and underground fortified zones. Satellite imagery revealed the destruction of a 7,000 sq ft operations complex and command vehicles, as well as crater impacts near areas believed to store sensitive or nuclear-linked assets. Pak Security Analyst's Big Expose Pakistani security analyst Imtiaz Gul, in a video statement, alleged that the airbase functions effectively as an 'American fortress," off-limits even to Pakistan Army personnel. He cited repeated sightings of US aircraft, undisclosed cargo, and restricted access to Pakistan Army officers. 'There are hidden agreements between the US and Pakistan Army since 2001," Gul alleged, linking the base to Afghan war logistics and past drone operations. His statement aligns with CNN-News18 's prior report that Pakistan is deliberately avoiding debris clearance at the base, fearing it would confirm the extent of the damage to both India and the global community. Sources say orders were issued to delay cleanup efforts to obscure satellite-based assessments of the strike's impact. The Pakistan Army has attempted to downplay the damage. But intelligence agencies, backed by high-resolution satellite imagery, confirm that around 20% of Pakistan's air force operational infrastructure may have been degraded in the strike. Mobile command centres, surveillance systems like the Saab Erieye AWACS, and other critical assets were severely compromised. Further complicating the situation is the base's proximity to Pakistan's nuclear assets. Sources suggest that debris near these sensitive areas has not been cleared out of both logistical constraints and deep strategic insecurity—any exposure could inadvertently validate long-held suspicions about US and Pakistani collaboration on covert nuclear logistics. India's ability to strike such a fortified and symbolically significant site sends a strong message, not just about its long-range strike capabilities but also about the gaps in Pakistan's air defence system. Top officials note that the attack bypassed ballistic missile interception systems and directly targeted high-value strategic infrastructure. Pakistan's continued silence and reluctance to share ground-level visuals from Nur Khan only adds to the perception of a major military and political embarrassment. 'This is not just material damage, it is a psychological blow to the core of Pakistan's defence establishment," a senior intelligence officer told CNN-News18. First Published: June 09, 2025, 18:59 IST
