Military Drone Proliferation Marks Destabilizing Shift in Africa’s Armed Conflicts
Military Drone Proliferation Marks Destabilizing Shift in Africa’s Armed Conflicts By Nate Allen for the Africa Center for Strategic Studies
April 21, 2025
“A revolution in unmanned systems is reshaping the dynamics of Africa’s armed conflicts. Professional militaries must balance the tactical advantages of drones with an understanding of their limitations and risks.”
The proliferation of military drones is fundamentally reshaping armed conflicts across Africa, marking a critical technological shift in modern warfare. Recent developments reveal a complex landscape where unmanned systems are rapidly becoming decisive instruments of military strategy. Four key trends define this transformation- accelerating military drone acquisition, middle powers expanding regional influence through drone exports, indigenous drone production capabilities emerging in multiple African countries, and an alarming increase in drone usage by non-state armed actors.
This article highlights that drone strikes have dramatically increased, with 484 strikes causing 1,176 casualties across 13 African countries in 2024 alone. Sudan and Sahelian regions account for 84% of these strikes, demonstrating the concentrated impact of this technology. Countries like Nigeria, Algeria, Ethiopia, and Morocco lead drone acquisition efforts, while nations such as Türkiye, Israel, and the UAE strategically supply these systems to expand their geopolitical influence.
Critically, the research emphasizes that while drones provide significant tactical advantages, they are not a silver bullet. Their effectiveness diminishes against guerrilla-style insurgencies and in proxy warfare environments. The article warns that African governments must develop nuanced strategies, understanding both the technological capabilities and inherent limitations of unmanned systems. The future of African conflict resolution will depend on sophisticated integration of drone technology with traditional ground force capabilities.
Read the full article for a deep dive into how drones are transforming warfare in Africa.
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