With reference to my previous blog on the Iron Dome system, I would like to delve into the ever-changing landscape of warfare with the introduction of laser systems, drones and the impact of them into defence systems infrastructure.
Laser Systems – Cost effective Defences?
The main advantage of laser systems over traditional missile defence systems are mainly in cost per firing. Having a low cost per firing at US$2 – US$10 versus a Tamir interceptor firing at $50,000 or even a Patriot Missile at US$3-US$4 million, it is a no brainer on why advanced militaries such as the U.S are looking into it.
Laser systems help flip the cost-inefficient attrition of defending against low cost attack modes such as drones into a sustainable high volume defence force. Arguably the cost to train personal to operate and maintain such a defence is also a net gain towards saving dollars.
Currently, the Iron Beam system is projected to target smaller munitions such as drones to a distance of up to 10km. A far cry from the Tamir’s 150 square kilometer radius, however with the pace of technology evolving i find that this is not a big issue in terms of scalabality.
Countermeasures: Mother Nature, fog, rain and smoke are some uncontrollable ways that reduce laser system’s combat effectiveness. Theoretically, if an enemy wants to increase their chances of breaking through such defences, they could have an smoke artillery barrage around the surrounding systems and quickly lead up with a drone attack.
If a country were to be dependent on laser systems, their power stations and electrical grid will be key targets of attack as well, leading to more passive defences having to be placed around said infrastructure.
Drone Warfare
As seen in the Ukraine-Russian War, drone warfare is in its infancy. Intelligence gathering, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) once limited to the U.S UAV series is now widely available to even the smallest of paramilitaries.
Drones offer precision strikes along with swarm attacks whilst being cheap to produce and offering close to zero risk of danger to its operators.
Defending against such threats does not come cheap. With current tech, active defences such as interceptor missiles are expensive. Trying to counter drones with foot soldiers with shotguns (duck hunting experience preferred) is not feasible either.
Right now, it remains to be seen on who can perfect the drone swarm advantage and which country can produce the first cost effective defence and adopt to the doctrine the fastest.
Nation Defences
If I were advising a defence ministry, I would propose:
- Build a counter-drone layered defence with lasers, jammers, and AI fire control
- Train civilian drone reserves for local ISR
- Stockpile cheap expendable drones for surge wartime use
- Harden comms against jamming and GNSS denial
- Integrate drones with existing artillery and air power for coordinated multi-domain operations
- Start building swarm doctrines for both attack and defense
Usage of cheap defences such as camouflage netting for hiding key defence points, underground shelters for troops and counter drone tactics are the way i would minimise my losses in event of a war
Thanks for reading, Im still getting used to wordpress and formatting my blog, if anyone has any tips do not hesitate and reach out to me! i wont bite promise!
Disclaimer time!: I am not a professional, all my writings are my own personal opinion. Nothing I say should be taken as financial advice.
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