Key takeaways
- Electronic warfare should be understood not only as a battlefield activity but as a strategic force that is shaping the development trajectory of weapon systems.
- States should monitor the spread of electronic warfare technologies and their impact on counter-drone development, including among non-State actors.
- States should consider how advances in electronic warfare should inform existing governance frameworks on the transfer, export and use of uncrewed systems.
The electromagnetic spectrum has become a key enabler of modern military operations. With the increase in the number and types of capabilities that rely on it for communications, navigation, sensing and guidance, the contest to control this domain has become a central and growing aspect of military operations. While not new, “electronic warfare” is now a persistent, distributed and increasingly accessible feature of modern conflicts. It has accelerated a dynamic between measures and countermeasures, whereby developments to disrupt the electromagnetic spectrum are matched by developments that seek to overcome these disruptions.
This publication examines how two core electronic warfare techniques – jamming and spoofing – are driving innovations in the design and use of uncrewed aerial systems, and also considers the implications of this dynamic for disarmament, arms control and international security. As electronic warfare continues to shape the design, deployment and operational use of uncrewed aerial systems, the disarmament and arms control community would benefit from closer and more systematic engagement with this dynamic.