The war in Ukraine has become an arena for the rapid development of military technologies. One of the most dangerous tools on the modern battlefield has become FPV drones — small unmanned vehicles with cameras that are piloted by an operator in real time.
Weapons that until recently were mainly used for racing or videography now change the course of combat daily. This brings serious risks — both for the military and for civilians.
What is an FPV drone and why is it dangerous?
FPV (First-Person View) drones are devices controlled by an operator via a video link from a camera mounted on the drone itself. This allows precise aiming at a target, avoiding obstacles, and even peering into windows or dugouts.
Thanks to their light weight and ease of assembly, such drones can easily be converted into high-precision weapons — it is enough to attach an explosive. At the same time, the cost of a single FPV drone is many times lower than any armored vehicle it can destroy.
A new level of threats: tactical and psychological
FPV drones have significantly complicated the defense of positions. They can fly around fortifications, fly low to the ground, and attack from unexpected directions. Even tanks with armor protection often fall victim to an accurate FPV strike aimed at a hatch or a track.
Besides physical destruction, these drones have a powerful psychological effect. The constant fear of a “strike from the sky,” even when everything around is quiet, exhausts fighters and affects morale and anxiety levels. The term “drone alarm” has already spread in units within combat zones.
Threat to the civilian population
Although FPV drones primarily target military objectives, the risks to civilians are growing. Sometimes drones hit incorrect coordinates or stray into the rear, creating danger for civilians.
There is also a real danger of FPV drones being used in cities by sabotage groups or terrorists. In dense urban areas and among large crowds it is difficult to detect the drone operator, and the consequences can be tragic.
FPV drones in the age of DIY and 3D printing
Another reason FPV drones have spread so quickly is the possibility of mass production. Volunteers, engineers, and hobbyists across the country build them in garages, workshops, and even at home.
Components can be ordered online and airframes printed on a 3D printer. This “democratization of weapons” means technologies are no longer the prerogative of armies or states — and that changes the rules of the game.
How to defend against FPV drones?
Defending against FPV drones is a complex task. The most effective approaches include:
- Electronic warfare (EW): jamming the signal between drones and operators. But FPV systems often use encrypted channels, which complicates countermeasures.
- Physical barriers: nets over trenches, protective structures, and vehicle modifications.
- Detection systems: new radars, sensors, and automatic turrets capable of detecting and destroying a drone before it strikes.
- Training: preparing personnel on how to act when an FPV drone appears — a key component of survivability.
The war of the future is already here
FPV drones are not a technology of the future. They are a real weapon that affects events on the front every day. They have changed defensive approaches, spurred a new wave of engineering solutions, and become a challenge not only for the military but for society as a whole.
We must realize that combating the FPV threat requires not only resources but also creativity, adaptability, and rapid solutions. Otherwise we will not keep up with a war that is already unfolding in three-dimensional space — and in real time.
