Forest Department to pilot the use of drones and unmanned vehicles for fire management
The plan comes as forest fires grow more frequent and intense, particularly in ecologically fragile zones where traditional firefighting methods can endanger human life and are often hampered by difficult terrain.
As part of the pilot, UAVs, equipped with high-resolution RGB and thermal sensors, will conduct real-time aerial surveillance, verify fire alerts, and transmit precise location data to ground teams and command centres. UGVs, on the other hand, will be fitted with firefighting tools such as high-pressure water cannons and fire-retardant dispensers to support on-ground containment and post-fire assessment.
An official said the goal of using these machines is to stop fires from causing too much damage, protect the ecology, and help the department better handle such disasters.
The department will also conduct training programmes for its personnel, focusing on the operation, maintenance, and troubleshooting of UAVs and UGVs. Based on the results of the pilot, a phased rollout is planned across other vulnerable forest regions.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
a day ago
- Time of India
Maruti Suzuki expands business scope with major overhaul of Memorandum of Association
Maruti Suzuki India Ltd (MSIL), the country's largest carmaker, has undertaken a significant overhaul of its Memorandum of Association (MoA), signalling a broader push into emerging areas of mobility and sustainability. The company's Board of Directors approved multiple amendments to the Object Clause during its meeting held on Thursday. The changes reflect Maruti Suzuki's intent to diversify its operations beyond traditional automotive manufacturing . The revised MoA expands the company's definition of core business to include not only conventional automobiles but also drones, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), amphibious and alternative propulsion vehicles, and their associated technologies and components. New and broader horizons In a clear move towards becoming a comprehensive mobility solutions provider, the company has now included in its scope the operation of subscription-based models, shared mobility services, last-mile connectivity, and vehicle leasing. This expansion also includes permission to buy, sell, refurbish, certify and auction used vehicles through digital, physical, or hybrid platforms, strengthening its presence in the pre-owned vehicle ecosystem. Maruti Suzuki is also preparing to deepen its involvement in the electric mobility space. It will now be allowed to set up electric vehicle charging stations, battery swapping infrastructure and engage in the production and trading of alternative fuels like Compressed Biogas and Hydrogen. Aligning with sustainability initiatives As part of its sustainability initiatives, the company has added new provisions enabling it to participate in carbon trading, monetisation of renewable energy certificates, and offer consultancy services in this space. Further, the MoA now permits Maruti Suzuki to engage in the recycling of end-of-life vehicles and industrial scrap, enabling a circular economy approach. Additionally, the company can now offer a range of consulting and technical services, including R&D, certification, testing, warehousing, and IT services, to third parties and government agencies.
&w=3840&q=100)
First Post
4 days ago
- First Post
Directed Energy Weapons: Why India must take the lead
Directed Energy Weapons offer advantages such as high speed, precision, and the potential for lower cost per shot compared to traditional weapons–the future of weaponry lies in DEWs read more India successfully tested the Mk-II (A) Laser-Directed Energy Weapon (DEW) this April at the National Open Air Range (NOAR) in Kurnool. The 30 kW (kilowatt) laser weapon designed to neutralise drones, UAVs, and other aerial threats puts India in a select group of nations with this capability. The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) trial demonstrated the system's ability to disable surveillance sensors and cause structural damage to drones. DEWs are a type of ranged weapon that use concentrated energy, rather than physical projectiles, to damage or disable targets. This energy can be in the form of lasers, microwaves, or particle beams. DEWs offer advantages such as high speed, precision, and the potential for lower cost per shot compared to traditional weapons, but they also pose challenges related to atmospheric conditions and potential long-term health effects. The world's leading defence companies are working towards DEWs. DEW could also use a beam of sound for crowd control and other policing functions. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Directed Energy Weapons DEWs emit highly focused electromagnetic energy, which is directed at the target, causing damage by heating, melting, or disrupting electronic systems. The specific type of energy used determines the wavelength and how effectively it can penetrate different materials. High-Energy Lasers (HEL) can be continuous or pulsed, delivering power outputs as low as 1 kW. Their precision allows them to target and melt metal, plastic, and other materials. They can be used to destroy or disable drones, missiles, and other airborne threats, as well as to damage or destroy ground-based targets. Millimetre Wave Weapons (MWW) operate in the 1 to 10-millimetre wavelength range, delivering more than 1 kilowatt of power. They can affect multiple targets simultaneously due to their broader beam. High-Power Microwaves (HPM) generate microwaves with longer wavelengths than lasers or millimetre waves. They're capable of producing around 100 megawatts of power and can disrupt multiple targets within their larger beam area and can disrupt or disable electronic systems, including those in vehicles, aircraft, and communication systems. Particle Beam Weapons (PBW), which are still under development, could potentially be used to damage or destroy targets at much greater ranges. DEW Advantages Advantages of DEWs include action at the speed of light, allowing for near-instantaneous engagement of targets. DEWs are very precise and can be directed with high accuracy, minimising collateral damage. DEWs are highly cost-effective and potentially much less expensive per shot than traditional weapons. DEWs can continue to fire as long as they have a power source, unlike traditional weapons with limited ammunition. DEWs can be used discreetly; radiation does not generate sound and is invisible if outside the visible spectrum. Light is, for practical purposes, unaffected by gravity and wind, giving it an almost perfectly flat trajectory. This makes aim much more precise and extends the range to line-of-sight, limited only by beam diffraction and spread and absorption or scattering by intervening atmospheric contents. Lasers travel at light speed and have a long range, making them suitable for use in space warfare. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD DEWs offer a spectrum of effects from nonlethal to lethal that can be influenced by factors such as exposure time, distance, and target area. Moreover, they can be employed in a graduated manner. Nonlethal responses include temporarily disabling electronic systems or preventing access to specific physical areas or systems, while degradation involves reducing the effectiveness of enemy sensors or electronics. Lethal responses entail destroying or severely damaging targets by focusing energy to melt or incapacitate critical components. Unlike traditional munitions, DEWs can offer benefits such as temporary and reversible effects. They can degrade or disable electronic systems without completely destroying them. DEWs are currently moving from the research and development phase to the practical deployment phase. Many countries are investing in DEW technology, and the market is expected to grow significantly in the coming years. DEW Challenges and Limitations Adverse weather (fog, rain, dust) can interfere with laser beams and reduce their effectiveness. DEWs can lose effectiveness over longer distances due to atmospheric absorption and scattering. Opposing forces can develop countermeasures to deflect or disrupt DEWs. DEWs could potentially cause unintended harm to their own personnel or equipment, and their long-term health effects are not fully understood. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Taking DEWs from development to operational deployment presents challenges. Operationally, wide-beam DEWs can affect both friendly and enemy assets within the area of impact. They may also struggle against well-shielded targets or in environments where line-of-sight is obstructed. Additionally, international norms and regulations related to DEWs are in their infancy and do not offer a clear framework by which to mitigate the risks of their use. Furthermore, there are open-ended questions over the ability of existing industrial supply chains to produce DEW capabilities at scale. Practical Military Applications DEWs offer practical air and surface defence applications. Specifically, they are best oriented to counter slower-moving and swarm threats such as drones, rockets, artillery, and mortars by disrupting or destroying their electronic components and guidance systems. DEWs are frequently cited as having potential for missile defence, including against ICBMs, but the technological challenges to such applications are currently prohibitive. The US Department of Defence claims that DEWs have the potential to counter slower-moving missile threats such as anti-ship and land-attack cruise missiles, the basic logic being that DEWs are a lower-cost way to defeat less advanced aerial threats that would allow more expensive interceptors to be saved for the faster and more troublesome ballistic threats that DEWs cannot reliably engage. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD It's also possible that DEW capabilities could be used against enemy surface boats and autonomous maritime vehicles, as well as adversarial intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities. DEW will be increasingly used to blind and destroy satellites. Leading Global Players in DEW In the United States, the Pentagon, DARPA, and the service-specific military research laboratories are all researching DEWs to counter ballistic missiles, hypersonic cruise missiles, and hypersonic glide vehicles. These systems of missile defence have already begun getting operational. China, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, Russia, India, and Israel are also developing military-grade DEWs, while Iran and Turkey claim to have them in active service. Some of the leading global private players in defence are involved in the DEW market. These include Lockheed Martin, Raytheon Technologies, and Northrop Grumman, with significant contributions from Boeing, BAE Systems, and others. These companies are actively involved in research, development, and deployment of various DEW technologies, including lasers and high-power microwaves, for defence applications. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Lockheed Martin is particularly interested in laser weapon systems for defence against various threats. Raytheon Technologies (now RTX) is known for its High Energy Laser Weapon System (HELWS), deployed in multiple countries. Northrop Grumman focuses on solid-state laser technology and has developed a 500-kilowatt laser system. The Boeing Company develops compact and mobile DEW systems, like the Compact Laser Weapon System (CLWS). BAE Systems is a major defence contractor with expertise in various DEW technologies. L3Harris Technologies is a key supplier of components for DEW systems. Leonardo S.p.A, a global leader in aerospace, defence, and security, has expertise in high-energy laser technologies. Other significant players include Germany's Rheinmetall AG, involved in the development of DEWs. French multinational Thales Group has a presence in the DEW market. Israel's Rafael Advanced Defence Systems Ltd is a significant player. Major Indian Companies DRDO, India's primary defence research organisation, is actively developing DEWs. Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) and Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) are major players in India's DEW market. Laser Science and Technology Centre (LASTEC) is an Indian research centre focusing on laser technology for defence. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD These companies are actively involved in research, development, and deployment of various DEW technologies, including lasers and high-power microwaves, for defence applications. The market is seeing increased investment and collaboration between these companies to develop advanced DEW systems for various applications, including countering drones, missiles, and other threats. Simultaneously, the private sector is also developing laser and high-power microwave-based air defence and counter-drone systems by companies like Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL), Adani Defence, Tonbo Imaging, Big Bang Boom Solutions, and Paras Defence. DRDO's DEW Programme The Mk-II (A) 'Shahastra Shakti' is a vehicle-mounted laser DEW system. At the heart of the Mk-II (A) is a 30-kilowatt high-energy laser. During trials, it demonstrated the ability to engage lightweight helicopters and long-endurance UAVs at distances of up to 3.5 kilometres. It showcased its entire spectrum of capability by engaging fixed-wing drones at long range, thwarting a multiple drone attack, and destroying enemy surveillance sensors and antennae. It is evolving into the most potent counter-drone system and is designed for flexible deployment from ground vehicles or naval vessels and can be transported by air, sea, or road. DRDO intends to operationally field the Mk-II (A) by 2027. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The prototype of the Mk-II (A) DEW system has been under a prolonged development of DRDO at the Centre for High Energy Systems and Sciences (CHESS), Hyderabad, along with Electronics & Radar Development Establishment (LRDE), Instruments Research & Development Establishment (IRDE), Defence Electronics Research Laboratory (DLRL), and Defence Laboratory (DL) Jodhpur, in harnessing the high power of laser. The critical subsystems along with components are designed and developed indigenously by CHESS, other DRDO laboratories, academic institutions, and more than 15 Indian industries. The cost of firing it for a few seconds is equivalent to the cost of a couple of litres of petrol. All three Indian armed forces are already using the earlier version of DEW Mk-I as part of their air-defence capabilities. The new system is capable of engaging aerial targets at greater range and, therefore, a significant step in Atmanirbharta. This landmark achievement will also act as the cornerstone for all the future development of high-power DEWs. Its success puts India in the exclusive and limited club of the global powers who possess the high-power laser DEW. Strategic Defence Initiative In the 1980s, US President Ronald Reagan proposed the Strategic Defence Initiative (SDI) programme, which was nicknamed Star Wars. It suggested that lasers, perhaps space-based X-ray lasers, could destroy ICBMs in flight. Several DEWs were examined by the SDI Organisation for potential use in missile defence. In July 1989, the accelerator was launched from White Sands Missile Range as part of the Beam Experiment Aboard Rocket (BEAR) project, reaching an altitude of 200 kilometres and operating successfully in space before being recovered intact after re-entry. No known weapon system utilising this technology has been deployed. Israel's Iron Beam Israel is developing many DEWs, including the Iron Beam laser system, as part of its multi-tiered missile defence strategy. These systems are designed to complement existing missile defence technologies like the Iron Dome. It is being jointly developed by the Israel Missile Defence Organisation (IMDO) and the US Missile Defence Agency (MDA). The Iron Beam, developed by Rafael Advanced Defence Systems, is a 100 kW-class High-Energy Laser Weapon System. It is designed to intercept and neutralise various threats, including rockets, artillery, and mortars (RAM), cruise missiles, and drones. It has reportedly been operational since October 2024. Few Other DEW Systems Active Denial System (ADS) is a millimetre wave source that heats the water in a human target's skin and thus causes incapacitating pain. Vigilant Eagle is a ground-based airport defence system that directs high-frequency microwaves towards any projectile that is fired at an aircraft. Raytheon had announced in 2005 that field tests had been highly effective in defeating MANPADS missiles. The system is not operationally deployed. Bofors HPM Blackout is a high-powered microwave weapon that is said to be able to destroy at a short distance a wide variety of electronic equipment and is purportedly non-lethal. The effective radiated power (ERP) of the EL/M-2080 Green Pine radar makes it a hypothetical candidate for conversion into a DEW by focusing pulses of radar energy on target missiles. The Pischal-Pro anti-drone rifle was featured at the Dubai Airshow, 2019. It is a battery-powered electromagnetic pulse weapon held to an operator's shoulder, pointed at a flying target in a way similar to a rifle, and operated. The device emits separate electromagnetic pulses to suppress navigation and transmission channels used to operate an aerial drone, terminating the drone's contact with its operator and sending it out of control. The Russian Stupor is reported to have a range of two kilometres, covering a 20-degree sector; it also suppresses the drone's cameras. It has reportedly been used in Syria. The Ukrainian army has reportedly used the Ukrainian KVS G-6, with a 3.5 km range and able to operate continuously for 30 minutes. It can disrupt remote control, the transmission of video at 2.4 and 5 GHz, and GPS and Glonass satellite navigation signals. A UK-developed system unveiled in May 2024 uses radio waves to fry the electronic components of its targets, rendering them inoperable. It is capable of engaging multiple targets, including drone swarms, and reportedly costs less than 10 pence (13 cents) per shot. Epirus Inc, a defence technology start-up based in Torrance, California, unveiled on March 25 the Leonidas system, a high-power microwave (HPM) weapon designed to neutralise unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) swarms. Chinese researchers have claimed to develop a high-power microwave (HPM) weapon that is capable of producing electromagnetic pulses with an intensity similar to that of a nuclear explosion. The US Army tested a high-power microwave weapon as part of the US-Philippines Balikatan 2025 joint military drills. This is the first time the weapon has been employed in the Indo-Pacific region and coincides with rapidly rising tensions with China. During the Iraq War, electromagnetic weapons, including high-power microwaves, were used by the US military to disrupt and destroy Iraqi electronic systems. The first officially known use of DEWs in combat between military forces was claimed to have occurred in Libya in August 2019 by Turkey, which claimed to use the ALKA directed-energy weapon. To Summarise Mastering the DEW technologies has long been the holy grail of air defence systems. While there have been global efforts to replace traditional kinetic weapons and missile air defence systems, the recent proliferation of much cheaper Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) and the emergence of drone swarms as asymmetric threats have driven the demand for DEWs with counter-UAS and counter-swarm capabilities. This has been witnessed during the recent conflicts like the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict or Houthi attacks on US naval fleets, where relatively weaker state and non-state players are accruing disproportionate gains against their stronger adversaries. Once detected by a radar followed by tracking through an electro-optic (EO) system, DEWs can engage targets at the speed of light and neutralise the target. This type of cutting-edge weaponry has the potential to revolutionise the battle space by reducing the reliance on expensive ammunition while also lowering the risk of collateral damage. DRDO is also working on higher-powered laser systems, including a 300 kW 'Surya' DEW with a 20-kilometre range. The Kilo Ampere Linear Injector 'KALI', is being co-developed with the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre. KALI will generate high-intensity electron pulses, which can be translated into electromagnetic radiation in the form of X-ray or microwave frequencies. It will act like a high-power microwave gun, designed to destroy incoming aircraft and missiles with a 'soft-kill' system that disables their sensitive electronic systems. India's private sector is getting big into DEW. The future is in DEW. DEWs are being designed to be flown on aircraft or housed on military satellites. Action is expanding. The DEW market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) between 16.16 per cent and 19.6 per cent. Specifically, one report projects the market to grow from $1.77 billion in 2023 to $6.96 billion by 2032, with a CAGR of 16.16 per cent. India must remain at 'full throttle' to become a major player. The writer is former Director General, Centre for Air Power Studies. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstpost's views.
Time of India
17-07-2025
- Time of India
Cheap and deadly: How Ukraine's drones are blunting Russian advantages in troops, tanks, and artillery
Drones , drones, drones. Only drones. A lot of drones." A weary Ukrainian platoon commander speaks to the transformed nature of modern warfare as he's medically evacuated from the front lines. Explore courses from Top Institutes in Select a Course Category Kamikaze drones . Surveillance drones . Bomber drones. Drones that kill other drones. These machines swarm the skies in vast numbers. They're cheap, they're deadly and they're among the main reasons Ukraine believes it can hold out against advancing Russian forces this year and even beyond, according to a dozen Ukrainian commanders, officials and arms manufacturers involved in Kyiv's defence. Ukrainian soldiers describe the drone-infested corridor covering about 10 km either side of the line of contact as the "kill zone" because remotely piloted unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) deployed by both sides can swiftly spot and neutralise targets. Live Events The war 's evolution into the most drone-intensive conflict ever seen has eaten away at Russia 's ability to exploit its traditional advantages in troop numbers, artillery and tanks, according to two Ukrainian battlefield commanders interviewed. Any large vehicle operating near the front is now an obvious target, meaning Russian forces can no longer make the kind of rapid advances they did in 2022 with columns of armoured vehicles, according to the commanders as well as the founder of OCHI, a system which centralizes video feeds from over 15,000 Ukrainian military drone crews on the front lines. "The enemy sees you completely," OCHI's Oleksandr Dmitriev added. "No matter where you go or what you are driving." Russia has consequently adapted its tactics, the Ukrainian battlefield commanders said; its forces now typically attack in small groups of five or six - on foot or on motorbikes or quad bikes - in an attempt expose Ukrainian positions by drawing their fire and then launching drone strikes at them, they added. Russia's defence ministry didn't respond to a request for comment on this article. Despite the changes in warfare, Russian forces retain the ascendancy and are making slow but steady advances in the east and north of Ukraine. Russia has also caught up in UAV technology after falling behind early in the war, according to military analysts, and like its enemy is churning out drones domestically at a rate of millions a year. Meanwhile, European leaders are trying to parse President Donald Trump's announcement this week that America would supply arms to Ukraine via NATO, with Europe picking up the bill. Many details remain unclear, including the types and quantity of weapons, how quickly they would be sent and precisely how they would be paid for, U.S. and European officials said this week. The White House didn't respond to queries on the supply plan. Spokeswoman Anna Kelly said the war had gone on too long and Trump wanted to end the killing, and so is selling U.S. arms to NATO for Ukraine and threatening hefty sanctions on Russia. The people interviewed for this article, who were speaking before Trump's weapons announcement, said they believed Ukraine could fight on and resist Russia even if no more U.S. aid was forthcoming, though they didn't give precise timelines. Many cited the primacy of drones as having levelled the field to some degree and made Ukraine more self-sufficient, and also pointed to growing military supplies from European allies. "We can hold out for months," said Oleksandr Kamyshin, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy's arms expert and strategic adviser, when asked about what would happen if U.S. weapons supplies ceased. "In 2023 or 2024, it would have been a lot worse - we would be talking about days or weeks." Polish military analyst Konrad Muzyka, who has made numerous visits to the front lines, said Ukraine's focus was to sap the strength of Russian attacks, adding that Kyiv didn't currently have the capability to launch offensives of its own. He said Ukraine would likely struggle in a long war of attrition due to its manpower shortages and Russia's superior resources. Although drones have changed the battlefield, he cautioned against overstating their ability to make up for an absence of artillery and mortars. "To deliver the amount of damage that an artillery shell does to a target, you would need to launch tens of drones," he added. "Drones can fill in the gaps to some extent and give you some breathing space, but they are not a substitute for artillery." DESTRUCTION RAINS FROM ABOVE Drones are demons, at least for those in the kill zone that straddles the 1,000 km line of contact. Reconnaissance UAVs from both sides - resembling shrunken airplanes, made of plastic or styrofoam and equipped with sophisticated cameras - can spot enemies from several kilometres away. They hover over the front lines, relaying back what they see in real time. They find targets for the fleets of bomber drones - often hexacopters the size of coffee tables that can drop precision grenades with 3D-printed tailfins - as well as kamikaze drones, some with RPG warheads strapped on to pierce armour, which can fly into soldiers, tanks and weapons systems. The platoon commander being evacuated from the front, a 35-year-old called Ivan who goes by the call sign "Atom", said soldiers on both sides now saw UAVs as the biggest threat to their lives, replacing shells, mines and enemy fighters which were the primary perils earlier in the war. A medic with him on the bus, 34-year-old Olga Kozum, concurred: Most of the battlefield injuries she and her colleagues treat are caused by UAVs, she said. According to internal Ukrainian estimates seen by Reuters, drones accounted for 69% of strikes on Russian troops and 75% of strikes on vehicles and equipment in 2024. About 18% of strikes on Russian infantry and 15% of strikes on vehicles and equipment were conducted with artillery, and even less with mortars, according to the same estimates. The wartime UAV arms race has spawned many innovations; both sides are deploying short-range, fibre-optic drones that cannot be electronically jammed, as well as "interceptors" that hunt down and destroy enemy reconnaissance and attack drones. Kyiv's planned production this year of 30,000 long-range UAVs, designed to attack targets deep inside Russia such as arms depots and energy facilities, gives Ukraine an increased offensive threat, according to Vadym Sukharevskyi, commander of the country's drone forces until early June. The average cost of a long-range strike drone ranges from $50,000 to $300,000, about 10 times less than a missile of similar range, although a drone's warhead is smaller, Sukharevskyi said in an interview while still in the post. "This is our asymmetrical answer," he said, adding that Ukraine started developing such drones "precisely because we lack missiles". Kamyshin, President Zelenskiy's adviser, added: "You can't win a big war if you are only defending." Long-range drone strikes are "one of the main cards Ukraine can play against Russia right now". WANTED: U.S. PATRIOTS AND INTEL Ukraine's military-industrial base is expanding rapidly, and now accounts for around 40% of the weapons and equipment used, including drones, according to Zelenskiy, who on Wednesday set out a target to reach 50% in six months. Kyiv has also sought to diversify its supplies and its European allies are providing growing amounts of munitions, potentially making the country more resilient to geopolitical shocks. The Kiel Institute, a German-based economic research group, estimated in a report last month that Europe had surpassed the U.S. in total military aid provided over the course of the war for the first time since June 2022, reaching 72 billion euros compared with 65 billion euros from Washington. The institute said aid flows to Ukraine shifted significantly in March and April as no new U.S. aid was allocated and European countries upped support. While the U.S. has been - and remains - the largest sole supplier of artillery shells to Ukraine during the war, Europe is expanding capacity and has purchased hundreds of thousands of munitions from within and outside the continent. Of around 420,000 artillery shells received by Ukraine from the start of this year until around mid-May, only 160,000 were from the United States, according to a European security source who requested anonymity to discuss confidential matters. Kamyshin said Ukraine made around 2.4 million of its own shells in 2024, although these were mostly for mortars, which are shorter range. Ukraine is nonetheless particularly reliant on the U.S. in the areas of air defences and intelligence sharing, military analysts said. Kyiv particularly covets U.S. Patriot air defence systems, capable of intercepting ballistic missiles that Russia is firing with increasing frequency. As of April this year, Ukraine had seven fully operational systems, well short of the 25 that Zelenskiy has requested, according to analysts at Ukrainian publication Defence Express. Long-range drone and missile attacks often rely on U.S. satellite intelligence. European countries can only go a small way to replacing were the United States to stop sharing it, the European Union Institute for Security Studies said.
