With the advent of insect-drones, air warfare is poised to enter a new domain where biology and technology intersect. Scientists have successfully developed insect-drones, which are real organisms implanted with machines. This new technology has the potential to transform surveillance and tactical operations while also serving as agents of ecological healing and public health. However, they also carry their own legal, ethical, and financial considerations. For Pakistan, facing multifaceted security challenges, this dual-use capability is a strategic necessity. Hence, it is paramount that Pakistan invests in insect drone technology and its counter technologies to bolster its defence and development.
One significant example of insect drones is a cyborg cockroach engineered by Germany’s SWARM Biotactics. This compact payload is equipped with neural stimulation and sensors for remote steering. Likewise, some of the insect drones can also take to the skies and represent coordination in motion. This was showcased by the world’s lightest insect brain controller, which weighed 74 mg and controlled the movement of bees.
These miniature drones enable real-time data collection and encrypted short-range communication. Experts working on the technology believe that such insects would reflect minimal electromagnetic signals, and these bio-robotic scouts would fall below the detection threshold of conventional radars. Also, they would be able to operate in cluttered, GPS-denied and high-risk environments.
Operationalizing the biologically resilient creepers can discreetly gather real-time visual intelligence on enemy troop movements in extreme conditions, such as the Siachen Glacier or the Rajasthan Desert, where the efficiency of conventional drones is compromised. They can also monitor infiltration or patrol routes, even within narrow crevices and rugged terrain. Additionally, they could be used for reconnaissance inside enemy bunkers and hidden ammunition factories. Moreover, swarm bees can be equipped with nano-explosives to target sensitive radar sites.
Furthermore, these biologically integrated, AI-enabled, and mass-deployable systems, which deliver ‘living intelligence,’ could revolutionise electronic intelligence (ELINT) and signal interception. Equipped with miniature microphones or sensors, these insects could intercept enemy radio chatter, GPS jammers, or detect heat signatures from mobile radars. These capabilities show how these weaponised insects can be instrumental in the future, particularly across the diverse geographies of the India-Pakistan battleground.
The mission profile of these airborne insects extends beyond combat. This has been demonstrated in Hawaii, where mosquitoes were used to combat diseases such as malaria and dengue. This has been achieved through the genetic modification of common bacteria in male mosquitoes, such that when they mate with wild females, the eggs do not hatch. Through biological interventions, scientists can monitor vector behavior to enable more targeted and efficient disease control.
The concept of insect drones also presents an ideal solution for searching for survivors of natural and anthropogenic disasters. These drones are also helpful in facilitating targeted pollination in areas such as Punjab and Sindh that lack natural pollinators due to the continued use of pesticides and habitat loss. Likewise, these drones can be used for precise pesticide spraying to protect beneficial insect species and also reduce water pollution.
While these proposed advantages are significant, insect drones are associated with equally essential challenges. First, it is necessary to recognize that these cyborg insects are currently in the field-testing phase. Secondly, weaponising insects could raise ethical concerns and face backlash from animal rights activists. Thirdly, the potential misuse or proliferation of such systems to non-state actors adds another layer of complexity. Fourthly, the deployment of autonomous insect drones could undermine the key tenets of International Humanitarian Law, such as distinction and proportionality. Lastly, genetic engineering of these insects may not always comply with the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety and other environmental regulations.
This future can impact Pakistan, which is yet to enter this new race. The path forward lies in a measured strategy as Pakistan must reinvigorate its R&D partnerships with universities and international biotech innovators. Early adoption and engagement with the technology will enable Pakistan to set its own terms for its use, rather than being forced to react to developments from abroad.
Initially, to garner global support and trust, Pakistan could prioritise the applications in public health, disaster management and environmental protection. Gradually, then, Pakistan could integrate the proven platforms into its defence modernisation plans, where they can offer a genuine tactical advantage. In parallel to developing such capabilities, Pakistan must also invest in counter-technologies to neutralize hostile bio-robotic incursions. This may include insect-specific jamming frequencies, electromagnetic shielding and AI-driven biosignature detectors.
All in all, these micro marvels promise a paradigm shift for Pakistan, from combat to conservation, battlefield to biosphere and from warfare to wellness. The question for Pakistan is not whether to engage, but how swiftly it can position itself at the forefront while safeguarding against similar threats. Indeed, this frontier of ecological resilience and technological ingenuity must be embraced with wings.