In the 21st century, the battlefield is no longer limited to the ground—it has moved into the sky. Drone-Borne Improvised Explosive Devices (DBIEDs), which are often modified commercial or FPV drones (First-Person View drones) carrying explosives, have changed the way wars are fought. By combining cheap, easy-to-buy drone technology with deadly payloads, armed groups and even some state forces have created a low-cost “air force” of their own. These drones can execute precise attacks while evading many conventional ground-based defense systems, making them a highly effective and versatile tool in modern warfare.
- Examples of Drone or Air-Borne IEDs
Drone-borne or air-delivered IEDs have been used in several recent conflicts, demonstrating their versatility and threat potential. In Iraq and Syria, insurgent groups deployed commercial drones carrying grenades or modified explosives to attack military convoys and checkpoints. In 2020, Houthi forces in Yemen used drones armed with small bombs against Saudi Arabian military installations and oil facilities. During the 2022–2023 Russia–Ukraine conflict, both sides employed drones loaded with explosives to strike vehicles, artillery positions, and command centres, including kamikaze-style attacks using commercial off-the-shelf drones modified for direct impact. Even in South Asia, reports have surfaced of improvised drones targeting paramilitary posts in border regions, reflecting how cheap, commercially available drones are being adapted for precision attacks in asymmetric warfare.
- The Structure of a DBIED
A Drone-Borne Improvised Explosive Device (DBIED) is usually a small drone that has been modified to carry and release explosives. It can be controlled by a person from a distance or, in some cases, guided partly by onboard systems. Most are commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) drones or FPV (first-person-view) drones that are easy to buy and adapt.
Off-the-shelf (COTS) drone refers to commercially available, mass-produced drones that can be purchased by anyone without special government authorization or military clearance. These are ready-made products, typically intended for civilian use such as photography, surveying, hobby flying, or delivery. Examples include DJI Mavic series, Parrot Anafi, and Autel drones.
Platform Types
- Multirotor drones can hover in one place and move very precisely. This makes them useful for dropping explosives straight down onto targets like vehicle roofs, trenches, or open hatches.
- Fixed-wing and FPV drones can fly faster and travel longer distances. Some are used in direct-impact attacks, where the drone crashes into the target and explodes.
Payloads: The explosives carried by these drones can include modified grenades, mortar rounds, homemade explosive charges, or factory-made explosive devices. Different payloads can be chosen depending on whether the target is a vehicle, a building, or personnel.
Release Mechanisms: Most systems use simple and low-cost release methods, such as small 3D-printed parts, adapted camera mounts, or basic magnetic or mechanical drop devices. Because these parts are cheap and easy to make, the use of such drones has spread quickly.
- Operational Tactics: How They Are Used
DBIEDs are different from traditional roadside bombs because they can move, change direction, and attack in real time. In precision dropping, operators use a live video feed to carefully hover over a target and release an explosive, aiming at weak points like tank hatches or supply areas. In loitering or kamikaze attacks, the drone itself acts as the weapon and crashes directly into the target to explode on impact; this method has become common in recent conflicts. Swarm tactics involve sending many drones at once to overwhelm defenses, so even if most are stopped, a few can still cause damage. Beyond physical destruction, drones also have a strong psychological effect—their constant buzzing sound creates fear and stress because people know they may be watched or targeted at any time.
- Detection and Defense Challenges
Stopping drone-borne explosive devices is very difficult. Counter-drone systems face several major problems. First, small drones are often made of plastic or light materials, so they do not show up clearly on regular radar. Second, their electric motors are very quiet, making them hard to hear until they are close. Third, there is a big cost imbalance—a cheap FPV drone costing a few hundred dollars can damage or destroy equipment worth millions. Finally, in cities or complex areas, drones can fly low and hide between buildings, making them harder to detect. Because of this, defenders must use expensive and advanced systems to stop threats that are cheap, small, and widely available.
- Countermeasures: Taking Back Control of the Sky
Modern military forces use a layered defense system to stop hostile drones. This means they combine different tools and methods to improve their chances of success. Electronic warfare (EW) is used to block the drone’s control signals, confuse its GPS, or even take control of it. Kinetic interception involves physically stopping the drone using interceptor drones, nets, special ammunition, or ground-based guns. Directed energy weapons (DEWs), such as lasers and microwaves, can quickly damage or destroy a drone’s electronic parts at a lower cost per shot. In addition, AI-powered sensors combine cameras, sound detectors, and radio signal trackers to quickly find, identify, and respond to drone threats.
- The Future Horizon
As artificial intelligence improves, drones are needing less human control. Some now use onboard cameras and computer vision to find and attack targets on their own, making them harder to stop with radio jamming. Recent conflicts in 2025–2026 showed this change clearly, with reports of AI-guided attack drones being used and countries greatly expanding their anti-drone defenses through better coordination and large equipment purchases. The spread of drone-borne explosive systems shows a major shift in warfare: airspace, once controlled mainly by powerful nations, is now within reach of anyone with basic technical skills and limited money. This means the challenge is not only about better technology, but also about rethinking air defense strategies in a world where cheap and fast innovation can challenge traditional military power.
- Conclusion
The rise of Drone-Borne Improvised Explosive Devices (DBIEDs) represents a paradigm shift in modern warfare, where low-cost, commercially available drones can deliver devastating effects traditionally reserved for sophisticated military forces. By combining affordability, precision, and adaptability, DBIEDs challenge conventional defense systems and create both physical and psychological threats. Countering them requires layered approaches integrating electronic warfare, kinetic interception, AI-driven detection, and directed energy solutions. As drone technology and artificial intelligence continue to advance, airspace control is no longer limited to nation-states, making innovation, strategy, and rapid adaptation critical for maintaining security in a world where the sky itself has become a contested battlefield.
References
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