On July 30 (local time), Russian Hero Yevgeny Poddubny said that the rapid development of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) is changing the nature of modern warfare, forcing armies around the world to reconsider how to build air defense systems.
According to TASS news agency, Mr. Poddubny believes that this change process is not only taking place in Russia but is becoming a common trend of armed forces around the globe.
Currently, not only us, but almost all armies in the world are having to review the entire structure of the air defense system. New elements have emerged and they will continue to develop," Mr. Poddubny said in an interview with journalist Vladimir Solovyov.
According to him, modern UAVs are constantly being upgraded in range, warhead capability and combat effectiveness, making them an increasingly large threat on the battlefield.
He believes that the enemy has developed UAV lines capable of carrying more powerful warheads, while also reaching an operating range equivalent to some medium-range missiles.
The whole world is moving towards rearmament and reviewing existing weapon systems," he said.
The expert emphasized that the development of UAVs is happening very quickly, causing traditional air defense systems to continuously adjust to adapt to new threats.
In recent years, UAVs have become an important combat vehicle in many conflicts, from reconnaissance missions, target designation to conducting precision strikes targeting military infrastructure.
Many military experts believe that low-cost UAVs but capable of flying far, carrying large warheads or operating in flocks are posing a significant challenge to air defense systems that are mainly designed to deal with manned aircraft and missiles.
According to Mr. Poddubny, as the flight range and destructive power of UAVs continue to improve, not only Russia but other military powers will also have to invest more heavily in interception technologies and new generation air defense systems to adapt to modern warfare trends.
