Foreign Counter-Unmanned Aerial Systems: Developments in the International Arms Markets

Over the last decade the numbers, types, and capabilities of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) available to military forces, domestic security forces, non-state actors, commercial interests, and even private citizens have grown substantially. Offerings range from large, expensive fixed-wing high-altitude/long- endurance UAVs, which are affordable only to nation states, down to low-cost, low-flying small and micro vertical take-off- and-landing (VTOL) models available to everyone. Both armed and unarmed models are marketed. Some unarmed models are being upgraded with aftermarket lethal capabilities by third parties or private individuals using do-it-yourself techniques.