TAG: GS-3: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
THE CONTEXT: Dragon drones have been used in the recent Russia-Ukraine War.
EXPLANATION:
What are Dragon Drones?
- Dragon drones essentially release a substance called thermite, a mixture of aluminium and iron oxide.
- Thermite is just one type of ‘incendiary weapon,’ with others including napalm and white phosphorous.
- When ignited (usually with the help of an electrical fuse), thermite triggers a self-sustaining reaction that is quite difficult to extinguish.
- These are known to emit a molten metal that burns at 2,427 degrees Celsius (4,000 degrees Fahrenheit) and can even burn underwater.
- As it comes down, the mixture resembles the fire spewed by the mythical dragon.
How Do Dragon Drones Work?
- The drones can bypass traditional defence systems due to their precision and deliver thermite to military targets, causing widespread destruction.
- On humans, thermite causes severe burns and bone damage.
- There is little protection against thermite as it can burn through almost everything, including even metals.
- Dragon drones tend to be low-flying because thermite is more effective when it’s in close contact with the target.
- Under international law, thermite is not banned for military combat, but its use on civilian targets is prohibited.
Deployment in the Russia-Ukraine War:
- Dragon drones were first deployed in the 1890s by a German Chemist and used initially to weld railway tracks by Ukrainian forces to expose Russian troops hiding in vegetation by setting fire to their cover.
- Russia has since started producing and using these drones as well.
Historical Use of Thermite in Warfare:
- Thermite was first used in World War I, particularly by Germany in air raids.
- In World War II, thermite was used extensively by both the Allies and Axis powers in aerial bombing campaigns, particularly in the form of incendiary bombs and grenades.
- In modern warfare, it is used by special operations teams due to its ability to burn without an explosion, which makes it useful in disabling artillery and equipment.
Legal Status of Thermite in Warfare:
- The use of thermite in military operations is not prohibited under international law.
- However, Protocol III of the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons (CCW) limits the use of incendiary weapons, like thermite, to military targets only, prohibiting their use on civilians due to the severe burns and injuries they cause.
Controversy Surrounding Dragon Drones:
- The indiscriminate nature of thermite raises concerns, as it can cause extensive damage over a wide area.
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