ABSTRACT
In this chapter, we consider the threat posed by commercially-off-the-shelf (COTS) civilian unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) platforms, modified for hostile non-state actor use in urban warfare environments, with forces possessing small-scale conflict ‘skills’ gained in Syria and Iraq by Al Qaeda and ISIS. The growing threat of commercially available first-person view (FPV) UAVs modified for use in asymmetrical warfare is a critical concern in modern conflict. This chapter explores how non-state actors, particularly terrorist organisations, have adapted off-the-shelf UAV platforms to carry out attacks, conduct surveillance, and disrupt infrastructure. Beginning with a historical overview of unmanned aerial systems in warfare, we highlight the increasing overlap between civilian and military drone capabilities. We then examine the evolution of UAV-based threats, emphasising the strategic and tactical advantages that modified drones provide to urban guerrillas and terrorist groups. The discussion extends to notable case studies, from ISIS’s use of drones in Syria to high-profile assassination attempts and infrastructure attacks. This chapter also considers the technological vulnerabilities of UAVs, including cyber threats, and countermeasures, before concluding with the broader implications of drone proliferation. Ultimately, the analysis underscores the urgent need for policy interventions and technical safeguards to prevent the weaponisation of consumer UAV technology.
