In a stunning display of asymmetric warfare, Ukraine has recently demonstrated the effectiveness of low-cost drones in neutralizing high-value military assets, raising critical questions about modern defense strategies and what India can learn from the conflict. The recent Ukrainian drone attacks, specifically "Operation Spiderweb," highlight a paradigm shift where inexpensive Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) can inflict significant damage on sophisticated and costly military hardware.

On June 1, 2025, Ukraine launched a coordinated drone strike targeting Russian airbases deep within Russian territory. This operation, dubbed "Spiderweb," involved smuggling small, commercially available First-Person View (FPV) drones into Russia, concealing them in trucks, and launching them near their targets. These drones, estimated to cost as little as $500 each, were used to strike airfields across five regions, reportedly damaging or destroying up to 41 Russian military aircraft, including strategic bombers and early-warning radar planes. The Ukrainian Security Service (SBU) estimated the damage to Russia's strategic aviation at approximately $7 billion.

These attacks targeted Tu-95 and Tu-22M3 strategic bombers, which Russia uses to launch long-range missiles at Ukrainian cities, and A-50 early warning and control aircraft, which provide critical aerial situational awareness. The Tu-160, another reported target, costs $250 million per unit and is Russia's most advanced strategic bomber, with only 17 in service. The A-50 spy plane has an estimated price tag of around $350 million. In contrast, the drones used in the attack cost only a few hundred to a few thousand dollars each.

This operation exposed vulnerabilities in Russia's air defenses and demonstrated the potential of asymmetric warfare, where a less technologically advanced force can effectively target a stronger adversary's critical assets using innovative and cost-effective methods. The success of "Operation Spiderweb" underscores the increasing importance of drone warfare in modern conflict. Drones offer several advantages, including real-time intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR), precision strikes, and suppression of air defenses, without endangering human lives. They are also much cheaper to operate than manned aircraft, and their modularity allows quick adaptation to mission-specific roles.

So, what can India learn from Ukraine's drone warfare strategy?

• Cost-Effectiveness: India can leverage the cost-effectiveness of drones to build a robust and versatile defense force. Investing in indigenous drone development and production can provide a significant advantage at a fraction of the cost of traditional military hardware. India has already inducted between 2,000 and 2,500 drones into its fleet, with a total expenditure ranging from US$ 361.45 million to 421.69 million by mid-2024.
• Indigenous Development: India needs to accelerate its indigenous drone development programs to reduce dependence on foreign manufacturers. Initiatives like the Drone Shakti Mission, launched in 2022, encourage startups, incubators, and public-private partnerships to build technologies across sectors, including defense.
• Swarm Technology: India can develop and deploy swarm drone tactics to overwhelm and saturate adversary air defenses. Swarm drones can perform both surveillance and attack missions, enhancing India's operational effectiveness along its borders.
• Counter-Drone Capabilities: Simultaneously, India must invest in counter-drone technology to protect against potential aerial threats. The DRDO has developed an anti-drone system capable of detection, soft kill (jamming), and hard kill (laser-based destruction) of attacking drones. India is also seeking to modify its existing air-defense equipment, such as ZU-23-2 and ZSU-23-4 Shilka anti-aircraft guns, to improve their effectiveness against drones.
• Asymmetric Warfare: Ukraine's success demonstrates that even states without traditional air superiority can leverage low-cost, decentralized systems to strike high-value targets deep behind enemy lines.

India is already taking steps to modernize its military based on lessons from the Ukraine war. This includes accelerating efforts to modernize artillery systems, standardizing heavy artillery to the 155 mm caliber, and developing indigenous drones similar to Israel's Heron and the US MQ-9 Reaper. The Indian Army has also been actively building its own fleet of loitering munitions and autonomous drones, emphasizing indigenous development.

The conflict in Ukraine has provided a playbook for drone warfare, demonstrating the tactical value and strategic implications of widespread drone deployment. By embracing these lessons, India can enhance its defense capabilities, secure its borders, and maintain its strategic advantage in the region.