The initial success of drones has seen an escalating war of innovation, with rapid innovation cycles. The Counter UAS (CUAS) and Counter CUAS process provide fleeting advantages to attackers and defenders. The initial success has been met with EW, rapid firing AA platforms, shotguns for individual protection, better enacted camouflage and concealment and even ‘fighter UAS’ platforms. The attackers have responded with Autonomous platforms to remove the requirement for radio communications for flight commands along with spooled fibre optic cable.
In June 2024, GEN Pierre Schill stated that the success of small UAS on the battlefield was “a moment in history” and that with CUAS platforms lagging it “leaves the sky open to things that are cobbled together but which are extremely fragile.” He added that already 75% of drones in Ukraine are lost to EW. The comments were linked to the French developed of a medium armour manoeuvre capability with new vehicles – the Griffon, Serval and Jaguar coming into the French Army. He also stated that drones can’t be compared to 155mm artillery. He also stated that the challenge is to create an industrial capability that can produce in mass if necessary.
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