Armed Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV); a New Challenge for International and Regional Security

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Corresponding Author: Associate Professor, Department of International Relations, Allameh Tabatabai University, Tehran, Iran

2 Master student of Allameh Tabatabai University, Tehran, Iran

Abstract

What consequences does the expanded use of armed UAVs by state and non-state actors on international security? This is a question that has recently occupied the minds of many researchers in the field of international relations. The unique capabilities employed in UAV’s such as the power to eliminate the risks of man power casualties, the ability to direct from remote distance, the ability to deny operations, the espionage and simple technology used in them, are being considered by states to exert their power outside their boundaries. UAVs have an effect on international security in two ways: the emergence of international new threats and the intended effects on the activist capacity of state/non-state actors. This research addresses and analyses the effects of UAVs on the international security in two levels. Also, considering the role that armed UAVs play in the security environment in the West Asia, this article presents strategic proposals for unmanned weapons for IRI’s defense doctrine. The findings of the research show that the the emergence and employment of UAV’s should be understood on the basis of the way military innovation proceeds towards automatic and robotic systems, which accounts for the fact that the role of UAVs in the future of conflicts will be further highlighted.

Keywords

References

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ایرنا، «ایران برای نخستین‌بار عملیات مشترک پهپاد و جنگنده را اجرا کرد»، 21دی ۱۳۹۷:
https://www.irna.ir/news/83166845
Defense Policy
Volume 29, Issue 113 - Serial Number 113
Winter Quarterly
February 2021
Pages 85-111

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History

  • Receive Date: 26 July 2020
  • Revise Date: 23 March 0621
  • Accept Date: 16 March 2021

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