{{Short description|Drones designed to operate together}} {{Multiple issues| {{globalize|date=February 2023}} {{Confusing|date=June 2024}} {{missing information|non-military swarm drones, used in artistic displays and advertising, etc|date=June 2024}} }} '''Swarm drones''' are drones especially designed to operate together as robotic swarms. Swarming is designed to maximise target saturation and overwhelm enemy defenses during attack missions.<ref name=Edwards-2000>{{cite book | title=Swarming on the Battlefield: Past, Present, and Future | author= Edwards, Sean J.A. | year = 2000 | isbn= 0-8330-2779-4 | publisher= Rand Corporation | series=Rand Monograph MR-1100 | url=http://www.rand.org/pubs/monograph_reports/MR1100 }}</ref>
== Military operators == === India === In November 2021, Defence Research and Development Organisation showcased an armed swarm technology with minimal human efforts. The drones were operable at high-altitudes, rough-weather conditions and can fly at a speed of {{cvt|100|kph}} and strike multiple targets.<ref>{{cite news |date=17 November 2021 |title=DRDO displays drone swarm in offensive role |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/drdo-displays-drone-swarm-in-offensive-role-101637150019067.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240809063028/https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/drdo-displays-drone-swarm-in-offensive-role-101637150019067.html |archive-date=9 August 2024 |access-date=1 February 2026 |work=The Hindustan Times }}</ref> For promoting the development of swarm drones, the Indian Air Force organised a three-year long competition in 2018.<ref>{{cite news|date=25 October 2021 |title=3 Indian start-ups win IAF swarm drone competition, at least 2 in line for defence contracts|url=https://theprint.in/defence/3-indian-start-ups-win-iaf-swarm-drone-competition-at-least-2-in-line-for-defence-contracts/756314/ |access-date=1 February 2026 |work=ThePrint }}</ref> In January 2025, NewSpace, which won the competition, was awarded a US$15 million contract for the manufacture of swarm drones for the Indian Army.<ref>{{cite news |last=Kadidal |first=Akhil |date=6 March 2023 |title=Indian Army receives ‘swarming' UAVs |url=https://www.janes.com/osint-insights/defence-news/defence/indian-army-receives-swarming-uavs |access-date=1 February 2026 |work=Janes }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Philip |first=Snehesh Alex |date=13 February 2023 |title=Army gets its first set of offensive swarm drone system, IAF next |url=https://theprint.in/defence/army-gets-its-first-set-of-offensive-swarm-drone-system-iaf-next/1368508/ |access-date=1 February 2026 |work=ThePrint }}</ref> Hindustan Aeronautics Limited supported NewSpace for research and development of the technology.<ref>{{cite news |last=Som |first=Vishnu |date=12 December 2021 |title=Exclusive: Heavy-Lift Made-In-India Drone To Redefine E-Commerce Delivery |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/exclusive-heavy-lift-made-in-india-drone-hl-150-to-redefine-e-commerce-delivery-2647493 |access-date=1 February 2026 |work=NDTV }}</ref>
=== Israel === Swarm drones were allegedly used by the Israel Defense Forces for attacking rocket launch sites in Gaza strip, and against the Iranian Armed Forces.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Mizokami|first=Kyle|date=8 December 2021|title=A New Video Explains, in Graphic Terms, Why the United Nations Must Ban 'Slaughterbots'|url=https://www.popularmechanics.com/military/a38413837/un-ban-autonomous-drone-swarms/|access-date=1 February 2026|work=Popular Mechanics|language=en-US}}</ref>
== References == {{reflist}}
Category:Unmanned aerial vehicles Category:Multi-robot systems