Drones are rapidly proliferating. Over 90 countries and non-state groups operate drones
today, and even more are certain to do so in coming years. These actors are beginning to
employ drones in novel ways according to their own interests, opportunities, and
constraints. As drones move beyond a niche capability used for surveillance and strike to
an integral component of modern militaries, they could have an unanticipated impact on
crisis stability, escalation dynamics, and norms regarding state sovereignty. What are the
consequences of a world in which many actors – state and non-state alike – have access to
drones? How will drones be used and what challenges should the United States prepare
for? To help policymakers think through the implications of drone proliferation, the
Center for a New American Security (CNAS) launched the World of Proliferated Drones
project, a joint undertaking of the 20YY Future of Warfare Initiative and the Technology
and National Security Program.
It would be naïve to assume that the future will look just like the past or that other actors
will use drones just as the United States does. Understanding the contours of an
increasingly drone-saturated world thus requires an understanding of how others
perceive the issues and challenges surrounding drone use. For this reason, it is critical to
examine the perspectives of international drone experts across a range of regions and
countries.
CNAS has commissioned 10 essays featuring views from France, Germany, India,
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