Publication

This paper investigates the use and proliferation of Unmanned Combat Air Vehicles (UCAVs) in China, India, Israel, Iran, Russia and Turkey. The authors examine existing drone inventories, future armed drone developments and considerations for armed drone deployment. They find that the vast majority of military UCAVs in each country’s inventory are unarmed, despite the fact that many can take various payload options, including missiles. China has the most diverse UCAV inventory, though Israel leads the way in terms of technology and export. All the countries studied are expanding their UCAV industries.