Drone Rules 2021: Analysis and Implications for India’s UAV Programme

Abstract

The deployment and use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) for purposes of national security by sovereign governments, presents an entirely new dimension to statecraft. UAVs have several applications in a wide range of spheres. Increasingly, UAVs or drones as they are popularly called, are being used on a significant scale for both defensive and offensive purposes. In the Russia-Ukraine war for instance, drones have been used widely by both entities for surveillance of enemy positions, and to target troops and critical infrastructure and assets. India too is not immune to challengers in the frontier regions, with drones being used by neighbouring countries for strategic purposes. This paper aims to analyse the Drone Rules, 2021 published by the Union government with the objective of liberalising the rules and norms governing the production, deployment and use of UAVs. The paper shall also delve into the various implications of these newly amended rules for India’s UAV programme.