Evolution of Warfare and Strategic Targeting
International Relations
- PYQs5
- Articles2
Background
Drone warfare represents a significant shift in military strategy and technology, impacting national security, defense spending, and international arms control. It raises questions about the ethics of autonomous weapons, the future of combat, and the accessibility of advanced military capabilities to state and non-state actors.
Modern warfare is increasingly characterized by the deployment of advanced technologies like drones and precision-guided munitions, enabling long-range and strategic targeting of critical infrastructure, which has profound implications for military strategy, economic stability, and civilian protection.
Facts & tables
- Advanced Weaponry
- Use of drones for reconnaissance and strikes, and deployment of new weapon systems like glide bombs.
- Strategic Targets
- Focus on critical economic infrastructure such as oil refineries to disrupt an adversary's capabilities.
- Long-Range Strikes
- Campaigns involving medium and long-range strikes, blurring traditional front lines.
- Civilian Impact
- Increased risk of civilian casualties and damage to residential buildings and non-military sites.
- Scale of Use
- Ukraine launches hundreds of drones daily at Russian troops and critical infrastructure.
- Targeting
- Used to strike Russian oil facilities, electricity infrastructure, and fuel logistics.
- Strategic Description
- Described by Ukraine as 'long-range sanctions'.
- Effectiveness
- Has slowed Russian advances but not led to decisive victory.
| Type | Reference |
|---|---|
| Conceptual area | Science & Technology |
| Conceptual area | Geopolitics & International Conflicts |
Prelims angle
Prelims angle: Conceptual understanding
Prelims angle: Policy measures
- Drones and precision munitions redefine battlefields.
- Critical infrastructure (energy, communication) as key strategic targets.
- Impact on civilian populations and international humanitarian law.
- Asymmetric warfare capabilities for smaller actors.
- Geopolitical implications of technological advancements in defense.
| Year | Framing tags |
|---|---|
| 2026 | Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis |
| 2026 | Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis |
| 2026 | Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall |
| 2023 | Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall |
| 2018 | Conceptual understanding, Policy measures |
Timeline
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Science & Technology
Conceptual area
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Geopolitics & International Conflicts
Conceptual area
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Prelims 2018
Conceptual understanding, Policy measures
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Prelims 2023
Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall
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Prelims 2026
Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis
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Prelims 2026
Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis
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Prelims 2026
Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall
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Zelenskyy warns of impending massive Russian attack on Ukraine
Modern conflicts leverage drones and precision munitions for strategic targeting of critical infrastructure, leading to significant civilian and economic impacts.
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Bad for both: On the Russia-Ukraine conflict
The application of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in military operations, characterized by their use for reconnaissance, targeted strikes, and economic disruption, as seen prominently in the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
See also
Past papers
2018–2026 · 2 questions
In the news
Zelenskyy warns of impending massive Russian attack on Ukraine
Modern conflicts leverage drones and precision munitions for strategic targeting of critical infrastructure, leading to significant civilian and economic impacts.
Bad for both: On the Russia-Ukraine conflict
The application of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in military operations, characterized by their use for reconnaissance, targeted strikes, and economic disruption, as seen prominently in the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
Try these PYQs
Which of the following statements with regard to drone swarms is/are correct ?
1. They use Terahertz band of frequency to communicate with the command centre.
2. Individual drones in the swarm can communicate with other drones in the swarm.
3. GPS Spoofing is a commonly used technique to counter drone swarm attack.
Select the answer using the code given below :
Statement 1 is Incorrect: Drones typically communicate with ground command centres using standard Radio Frequency (RF) bands (e.g., UHF, S-band, L-band) or Satellite Communications (SATCOM) to ensure reliable, long-range connectivity. The Terahertz (THz) band is an emerging, highly experimental frequency envisioned for future 6G networks. Because THz waves suffer from severe atmospheric attenuation and have a very short range, they are currently being researched for high-speed inter-drone (drone-to-drone) communication at close proximity, not for long-range links to a command centre. Statement 2 is Correct: The defining characteristic of a drone swarm is decentralized collective intelligence. Individual drones actively communicate with one another (often via ad-hoc mesh networks) to coordinate formations, share sensor data, avoid collisions, and adapt to real-time environmental changes without relying on a central controller. Statement 3 is Correct: Electronic Warfare (EW) is a primary defense against drone swarms. GPS Spoofing is a standard and commonly used countermeasure. It involves broadcasting fake satellite signals to deceive the drones' navigation systems, forcing them off course, causing mid-air collisions, or triggering forced landings. Therefore, option B is the correct answer.
In the Indian context, what is the implication of ratifying the 'Additional Protocol' with the `International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)'?
India signed the Additional Protocol to the IAEA safeguards agreement on May 15, 2009. An additional protocol to the Safeguards Agreement between the Government of India and the IAEA for the Application of Safeguards to Civilian Nuclear Facilities entered into force on 25 July 2014. Hence option 1 is correct.
Match List I with List II and select the answer using the code given below the Lists :
| List I (BIMSTEC Centre/Establishment) | List II (Location) |
|---|---|
| A. BIMSTEC Cultural Industries Observatory | 1. NOIDA |
| B. BIMSTEC Energy Centre | 2. Bengaluru |
| C. BIMSTEC Centre for Weather and Climate | 3. Colombo |
| D. BIMSTEC Technology Transfer Facility | 4. Thimphu |
The Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) has established several specialized centres to foster regional cooperation. The correct matching of these centres with their locations is as follows: * BIMSTEC Cultural Industries Observatory (BCIO): Located in Thimphu, Bhutan. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for its establishment was signed during the Third BIMSTEC Summit in 2014 to promote cultural cooperation and preserve heritage.
* BIMSTEC Energy Centre (BEC): Located in Bengaluru, India. Housed at the Central Power Research Institute, it coordinates regional energy cooperation, capacity building, and acts as the Secretariat for the BIMSTEC Grid Interconnection Coordination Committee.
* BIMSTEC Centre for Weather and Climate (BCWC): Located in NOIDA, Uttar Pradesh, India. It is hosted at the National Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasting (NCMRWF) to enhance regional cooperation in weather prediction, climate modeling, and disaster preparedness.
* BIMSTEC Technology Transfer Facility (TTF): Located in Colombo, Sri Lanka. The Memorandum of Association (MoA) for its establishment was signed during the Fifth BIMSTEC Summit in 2022 to facilitate technology sharing, innovation, and capacity building among member states. Therefore, the correct matching is A-4, B-2, C-1, D-3, which corresponds to the correct option.
Consider the following UN organisations/agencies :
1. World Food Programme
2. United Nations Children's Fund
3. United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
4. International Labour Organisation
How many of the above has/have been awarded the Nobel Prize twice ?
World Food Programme (WFP) was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize once in 2020 for its efforts to combat hunger and prevent its use as a weapon of war and conflict. United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize once in 1965 for its humanitarian work and efforts to enhance solidarity between nations. United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize twice (1954 and 1981). The 1954 prize recognized its post-WWII refugee relief efforts, and the 1981 prize honored its ongoing work promoting the fundamental rights of refugees globally. International Labour Organisation (ILO) was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize once in 1969 for its role in improving working conditions, promoting social justice, and contributing to global peace. Since only one organisation (UNHCR) out of the four listed has been awarded the Nobel Prize twice, the correct option is A.
Consider the following statements about G-20:
1. The G-20 group was originally established as a platform for the Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors to discuss the international economic and financial issues.
2. Digital public infrastructure is one of India's G-20 priorities.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
* Both statements about the G-20 are correct * Statement 1 is correct: The G-20 originated as a forum for Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors to address global economic and financial issues. It has since expanded its focus to other areas of international cooperation. * Statement 2 is correct: India, as the chair of the G-20 in 2023, prioritised digital public infrastructure as one of its key areas of focus. This included discussions on promoting responsible use of artificial intelligence, bridging the digital divide, and fostering inclusive growth through digitalization.