In the early days of the war in Ukraine, no place seemed safe for Russian soldiers. Kyiv's drones played a crucial role in neutralising Moscow's strikes, with the perception that these inexpensive weapons were decisive in battle.
Two years later, in mid-April, the air defences of Israel and its allies—America, Britain, and France—successfully neutralised approximately 330 drones and missiles launched by Tehran in retaliation to Israel’s strike on the Iranian consulate in Damascus two weeks earlier.
On 19 April, Israel conducted enigmatic strikes in Isfahan, deep within Iran, targeting air bases and nuclear sites that Iran considers symbols of regional deterrence and superiority. Throughout and beyond these incidents, drones continue to patrol the skies of the Middle East and other regions worldwide.
This includes strikes by the Houthis and Iranian agents in the Red Sea, threatening global trade and energy supply lines, and the ongoing "shadow war" between Tehran and Tel Aviv.
Drone ascendancy
There is extensive debate among experts and military personnel regarding the effectiveness, cost, and countermeasures associated with drones. Nevertheless, drones have undoubtedly become an integral part of warfare in the Middle East. As a result, they have become a key focus for army commanders and chiefs of staff, sparking a race among Iran, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Israel, and other nations to dominate the region's skies.
Who will prevail in the battle for drone supremacy in the Middle East? Al Majalla addresses the question in its June cover story, seeking the views of experts and military leaders who share their wealth of knowledge on the subject. They weigh in on just how significant drones have become in modern warfare—whether on land, where battles take place; at sea, where supply lines are crucial to the global economy; or in the air, where spy drones breach borders to gather information and conduct espionage.
Some might argue that drones underscore the continued relevance of primitive and traditional means of warfare: cannons, missiles, and bombs. Blind munitions that terrorise and destroy, or smart munitions that hit their targets in their bedrooms, taking out enemies without demolishing structures. This issue explores these questions in depth.
