DronesProliferation of drones raises alarms

Security analysts fear that with the increasing proliferation of unmanned aerial drone technology, terrorists could eventually begin using them to drop explosives or even biological weapons.

Technological developments have led to ever smaller, remote-controlled drones that are easily transported, increasing the potential for extremists to get their hands on one. Furthermore, drones have developed at such a rapid pace, analysts are uncertain of their future.

“I think of where the airplane was at the start of World War I: at first it was unarmed and limited to a handful of countries,” said P. W. Singer, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institute and the author of Wired for War. “Then it was armed and everywhere. That is the path we’re on.”

Analysts are particularly concerned as roughly fifty nations have purchased or are developing drones including India, Iran, Mexico, Pakistan, and Russia.

More troubling, China is now selling twenty-five different types of drones. During the drones’ debut at an airshow last November, promotional video footage showed the Chinese drones attacking an American aircraft carrier and an armored vehicle.