Cheap drones, costly consequences: the legal and humanitarian risks and outcomes of low-tech drone warfare

Saba Sotoudehfar, Jeremy Julian Sarkin and Mohamed Zied Chaari

Defense & Security Analysis, 2026, vol. 42, issue 1, 139-166

Abstract: The article examines the recent and rapid proliferation of cheap, unsophisticated “kamikaze” drones, as well as the legal and moral challenges they present in modern warfare. As countries increasingly rely on these cost-effective yet crude drones, the risks to civilian safety and the potential for violations of international humanitarian law are heightened. The article highlights the development of drone technology and its impact on warfare. It critically examines the legal implications of using such drones, focusing on how their shortcomings can lead to violations of international humanitarian law. By analysing the incident involving Iranian drones in the April 2024 attack on Israel, the article underscores the failures of existing international regulatory frameworks. It calls for urgent international co-operation to establish comprehensive regulations that address challenges posed by new technologies and emphasises the need for effective monitoring and enforcement of international humanitarian law as warfare technology continues to advance rapidly.

Date: 2026
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DOI: 10.1080/14751798.2025.2546712

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