“Drone Wars,” a new British Army competition, recently took place at the Sandhurst military training estate, showcasing emerging tactics in drone warfare and the changing nature of battlefield engagements. The event involved 24 teams of four soldiers each, drawn from units across the army, including Gurkhas, paratroopers, and the Ranger Regiment, competing in timed combat scenarios designed to simulate real combat conditions.

During these exercises, troops used a combination of traditional infantry weapons and increasingly sophisticated drone technology. Participants operated first-person view (FPV) drones powered by batteries carried in their rucksacks, using small digital tablets to navigate and strike targets such as personnel, bunkers, and a mock Russian BRDM armoured scout vehicle. Stealth and deception were emphasized; soldiers deployed simple but effective countermeasures, including umbrellas said to block enemy drones’ thermal sensors, and decoy drones transmitting false signals to confuse adversaries.

The competition required teams to complete missions within 30-minute windows at six different locations, testing their ability to identify and engage targets swiftly under pressure. A key tactic involved using reconnaissance drones for intel gathering, followed by “kamikaze” strike drones launched from concealed positions. Participants described honing their skills at circling and attacking vulnerable points on enemy vehicles, although the terrain presented challenges such as intermittent video signal loss during attacks.

The exercise reflects a broader shift in British Army priorities. Recent directives have curtailed larger-scale training involving over 90 soldiers, with a reported strategic pivot away from heavy armour exercises toward enhanced drone capabilities. Military officials have pointed to lessons learned from recent conflicts, such as the war in Ukraine, emphasizing the increasing importance of drones in modern combat to provide persistent surveillance and precision strikes.

Lance Corporal Jack White of the Royal Tank Regiment noted how drone operations are integrated with tank units to improve battlefield awareness and survivability. Tank crews, often isolated due to their vehicles’ design, benefit from drone reconnaissance that extends their situational understanding beyond direct line of sight.

The competition was devised by Brigadier Ed Cartwright, commander of the 16 Air Assault Brigade, who highlighted the transformative impact of drones on warfare. According to Cartwright, drones enable greater standoff distances between forces and generate continuous battlefield observation, making it difficult for troops to move undetected. He remarked on the “massive increase in cheap precision” that drones bring to engagements, underscoring the urgency of adapting military tactics accordingly.

The winning team of the inaugural “Drone Wars” was from the Ranger Regiment, a combined entry from the 2nd and 4th Battalions. The event is seen as a glimpse into the future of combat, where unmanned systems and electronic warfare will play an increasingly dominant role alongside traditional infantry skills.