Unmanned aerial vehicles, known as UAVs or simply drones, have become an indispensable tool on the modern battlefield. Their role is constantly expanding, from reconnaissance and surveillance to precision strikes and the deployment of stand-off munitions. It is important not to forget land or maritime drones, which are already making a significant impact on the battlefield now or in the near future. In the following, however, we will focus only on aerial drones.

Distribution of unmanned aerial vehicles by purpose

UAVs can be divided according to their main purpose into three basic categories: reconnaissance, combat and so-called suicide drones, also known as standby munitions. Reconnaissance drones are used for long-term surveillance of terrain and intelligence gathering. These systems are equipped with advanced cameras and sensors that enable detailed analysis of the environment and enemy movement. Their deployment provides command structures with the precise information needed to plan operations.

Combat drones, such as the MQ-9 Reaper, are designed to carry weapon systems and munitions. They can carry out direct attacks on strategic targets, minimising the risk to human life on the part of the operators. They are capable of carrying various types of weapons, including cruise missiles and bombs, and their accuracy has a significant impact on the conduct of combat operations.

The third category is suicide drones, or kamikaze drones, which combine a reconnaissance capability with a destructive function. Also referred to as stand-off munitions, these vehicles can monitor a target for long periods of time and launch a precision attack if necessary. Among such UAVs we can count, for example, Iran's Shahid-136 suicide drone.

Division according to the transmission of control signals

UAVs also differ in the way they transmit control signals. The most commonly used are wireless systems that use satellite communications or radio frequencies. These technologies allow operators to control the drone over long distances and offer high flexibility in mission planning. The disadvantage of wireless systems is their vulnerability to electronic interference and cyber-attacks, which can adversely affect the operation.

A possible alternative is cable control, which uses fibre optic or other cables. Unmanned aerial vehicles guided in this way represent a variant with a higher degree of resistance to enemy countermeasures. Drones are less susceptible to jamming and can be deployed in environments with high data protection requirements. However, their use is limited to specific situations, such as indoor reconnaissance. The choice between wireless and wired systems then depends on the nature of the specific mission and the specific requirements of the battlefield.

Size distribution

Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) vary not only in purpose and capability, but also in size and weight, which fundamentally affects their operational deployment. The categorization of UAVs is key to understanding their use.

The Nano and Micro UAV categories are the smallest UAVs, typically weighing less than 2 kg. They are characterised by their compact design and high mobility. They are ideal for operations in confined spaces (i.e. indoors), for example in urban areas, or in situations where discretion is required. Due to their small size, these drones are highly portable and can be quickly deployed on a variety of missions. They are often used for reconnaissance or special operations where high mobility and flexibility are emphasized.

Mini or Small UAVs (SUAVs) are larger than previous drones, weighing between 2 and 25 kg. This type of UAV is designed for tactical operations and providing long-term reconnaissance at a lower level of command. Mini/Small UAVs have a better payload capacity and longer endurance compared to the previous two categories, allowing the deployment of more advanced sensors to provide quality intelligence and monitor wider areas. Examples of this category would include the RQ-11 Raven and Skylark I types.

Tactical UAVs are already medium-sized drones, usually weighing between 25 and 150 kg. They have a longer range and are designed for operational level operations. An example of a tactical UAV is the RQ-7 Shadow.

Drones in the MALE (Medium Altitude Long Endurance) category are UAVs for medium altitudes, typically between three and nine kilometres. They are designed for longer-term operations, for which they have an endurance of 24 to 48 hours. Their weight ranges between 150 and 1 000 kg. Examples of this type of drone are the MQ-9 Reaper, Bayraktar TB2, Kronstadt Orion.

HALE (High Altitude Long Endurance) UAVs, or High Altitude Long Endurance drones, are the largest and most powerful unmanned aerial vehicles with operational altitudes above 18,000 meters. HALE drones typically weigh over 1,000 kg and are ideal for operations of a strategic nature. An example of a HALE UAV is the RQ-4 Global Hawk.

How is the Czech Army doing in this area?

The Czech Army currently has a specialised unit for the use of UAVs. This unit is the 533rd Unmanned Systems Battalion, which operates within the 53rd Reconnaissance and Electronic Warfare Regiment. At present, the Czech Armed Forces own only reconnaissance UAVs of the RQ-11 Raven, RQ-20 Puma, RQ-12 A Wasp, ScanEagle or Skylark I type. These UAVs provide field units with key information on enemy movements and the situation on the battlefield.

The Czech Army will also add hundreds more Mini VTOL Military category drones (in four variants) to its existing portfolio of mini drones and is in the process of acquiring the latest version of the PUMA 3AE and PUMA LE drones through the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA). The acquisition of two sets of SMALL UAS vertical take-off (VTOL) fixed-wing UAS with movable surfaces is being prepared for the needs of the Ground Forces of the Czech Armed Forces. For the sake of completeness, let us also mention the recent purchase of three Skyspotter unmanned helicopters from Liaz Model Factory.

If we focus on the larger types of unmanned vehicles, our army was initially to be reinforced by 3 Israeli drones of the Heron 1 type, which is classified as MALE. However, this almost completed acquisition was abruptly cancelled the year before last, with the understanding that the Army would instead purchase over two hundred smaller drones to be used by multiple units for surveillance and reconnaissance purposes. The Army justified this change by evaluating the experience of modern battlefields such as the Ukrainian one. The Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces, Lieutenant General Karel Řehka, said at a meeting of the Defence Committee held late last year, "At the moment we do not have this (medium category drones, editor's note) in our plans, for one simple reason, because neither in the acquisition nor in the medium-term plan do we have funds for this. For us, the priority at the moment is to ensure the combat capability of those elements that we have allocated in the NATO force model in collective defence and to ensure that we meet the objectives of building alliance capabilities." However, he added that "this is a trend for the future. We will certainly have to acquire those higher-end unmanned systems."

Experience from the Ukrainian battlefield

The war in Ukraine has clearly demonstrated the vital role that drones play in modern conflicts. Both sides in the conflict - Ukraine and Russia - have deployed drones in various types of operations, from reconnaissance to direct strikes on enemy infrastructure. A key factor in their success is their ability to provide fast and accurate information about the situation on the battlefield, enabling effective decision-making and coordination of troops.

On the Ukrainian battlefield, commercially available drones that have been modified for military use have also proved extremely effective on both sides. These are cheap and readily available devices, used for reconnaissance, guiding artillery fire and even direct attacks using improvised explosive devices. At the beginning of the war, Ukraine made extensive use of the Turkish Bayraktar TB2 drones, which became a demonstration of the effectiveness of these affordable means in the fight against underdeveloped air defence systems, destroying Russian air defence systems, tanks or logistics hubs.

Russia, on the other hand, was floundering in the UAV field at the beginning of the war, to the extent that it was lagging behind Ukraine from a certain point of view. Systems such as the Orlan-10, which focus on reconnaissance, were deployed into the fray. Russia has also made extensive use of Iran's Shahid-136 drones and their indigenous copies to act as a cheap alternative to cruise missiles in attacks on Ukraine's strategic infrastructure, which has had a devastating impact on Ukraine's economy and morale.

The effectiveness of drones in the war in Ukraine lies in their ability to adapt to dynamic battlefield conditions. Due to their low cost and easy availability, they can also be deployed in large numbers, ensuring constant pressure on the enemy. However, the conflict in Ukraine has also exposed their vulnerabilities, for example to electronic jamming, which is most evident in the current fighting in the Kursk region, where cable-guided drones are widely used (especially on the Russian side).

There is one more aspect that should be taken into account in the case of UAVs. On both sides of the Ukrainian conflict, the practice of garage manufacture of very cheap kamikaze drones, made from individual specialised components, has become widespread. Thus, in future conflicts, whoever secures the supply of large numbers of cheap imported or domestically produced "mass-produced" drones will have a distinct advantage on the battlefield. In both cases, however, securing these capabilities is highly problematic, even in peacetime.