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<PublisherName>ejsss</PublisherName>
<JournalTitle>ELECTRONIC JOURNAL OF SOCIAL AND STRATEGIC STUDIES</JournalTitle>
<PISSN/>
<EISSN/>
<Volume-Issue>Volume 6 Issue 2</Volume-Issue>
<PartNumber/>
<IssueTopic>Multidisciplinary</IssueTopic>
<IssueLanguage>English</IssueLanguage>
<Season>August-September 2025</Season>
<SpecialIssue>N</SpecialIssue>
<SupplementaryIssue>N</SupplementaryIssue>
<IssueOA>Y</IssueOA>
<PubDate>
<Year>2025</Year>
<Month>09</Month>
<Day>30</Day>
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<ArticleType>Security Studies</ArticleType>
<ArticleTitle>The Arachnid__ampersandsign#39;s Gambit: Hyper-Asymmetric Interdiction in the Drone Age and its Strategic Implications for India</ArticleTitle>
<SubTitle/>
<ArticleLanguage>English</ArticleLanguage>
<ArticleOA>Y</ArticleOA>
<FirstPage>244</FirstPage>
<LastPage>265</LastPage>
<AuthorList>
<Author>
<FirstName>K C</FirstName>
<LastName>Monnappa</LastName>
<AuthorLanguage>English</AuthorLanguage>
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<CorrespondingAuthor>N</CorrespondingAuthor>
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<DOI>10.47362/EJSSS.2025.6205 </DOI>
<Abstract>This paper introduces the theoretical framework of Hyper-Asymmetric Interdiction (HAI), a novel paradigm in contemporary warfare characterized by the strategic use of low-cost, technologically advanced unmanned systems to inflict disproportionate damage deep within an adversary’s territory. HAI leverages the collapse of traditional defence assumptions — particularly strategic depth — through the innovative integration of covert deployment, economic asymmetry, artificial intelligence, and massed swarms. Contemporary warfare has entered a transformative epoch characterized by the convergence of artificial intelligence, unmanned systems, and asymmetric tactics. Traditional concepts of strategic depth and layered defence face unprecedented challenges as technological democratization enables non-state and smaller state actors to project power in ways previously exclusive to major military powers (Boyle, 2020). This paradigm shift necessitates new theoretical frameworks to understand and counter emerging threats. The proliferation of Commercial-Off-The-Shelf (COTS) drone technology has fundamentally altered the strategic landscape, enabling precision strikes at costs that render traditional defence economics obsolete (Vision of Humanity, 2025). Between 2018 and 2023, drone usage by non-state actors increased by over 1,400 percent, while state usage grew by 150 percent, highlighting the democratization of aerial warfare capabilities (Vision of Humanity, 2025). This paper introduces Hyper-Asymmetric Interdiction (HAI) as a distinct theoretical construct that transcends traditional asymmetric warfare classifications. HAI represents the deliberate application of low-cost, covertly deployed unmanned systems to inflict disproportionate strategic damage on high-value targets, achieving operational and psychological overmatch while minimizing direct risk to the attacking force.</Abstract>
<AbstractLanguage>English</AbstractLanguage>
<Keywords>Hyper-Asymmetric Interdiction (HAI),Drone Warfare, Strategic Deterrence, Asymmetric Warfare, Counter-UAS, Cognitive Overmatch, India's Security</Keywords>
<URLs>
<Abstract>https://www.ejsss.net.in/ubijournal-v1copy/journals/abstract.php?article_id=15966&title=The Arachnid__ampersandsign#39;s Gambit: Hyper-Asymmetric Interdiction in the Drone Age and its Strategic Implications for India</Abstract>
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<References>
<ReferencesarticleTitle>References</ReferencesarticleTitle>
<ReferencesfirstPage>16</ReferencesfirstPage>
<ReferenceslastPage>19</ReferenceslastPage>
<References>Bandouil, S. (2025, June 2). 34% of Russian strategic missile carriers at main airfields damaged in Ukrainian drone operation, SBU reports. The Kyiv Independent. https://kyivindependent.com/34-of-russian-strategic-missile-carriers-worth-7-billion-damaged-in-ukrainian-drone-operation-sbu-reports/
Bego, K. (2025, July 17). Ukraine’s Operation Spider’s Web is a game-changer for modern drone warfare. NATO should pay attention. Expert comment. (Original work published June 6, 2025).
Boyle, M. J. (2020). The Drone Age: How Drone Technology Will Change War and Peace. Oxford University Press.
Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). (2025). Drone Saturation: Russiaand;#39;s Shahed Campaign. Retrieved from https://www.csis.org/analysis/drone-saturation-russias-shahed-campaign
Defence Update. (2025, June 2). Operation "Web": Ukraineand;#39;s FPV drone strike on Russian strategic airbases. Retrieved from https://defense-update.com/20250601_operation-web-ukraines-fpv-drone-strike-on-russian-strategic-airbases.html
Melville, A. (2025, January 21). Drone wars: Developments in drone swarm technology. Defense and Security Monitor. Retrieved from https://dsm.forecastinternational.com/2025/01/21/drone-wars-developments-in-drone-swarm-technology/
Tripathi, P., and; Bommakanti, K. (2025, May 29). Air defence mechanisms: A primer on India and Pakistan. Observer Research Foundation. https://www.orfonline.org/research/air-defence-mechanisms-a-primer-on-india-and-pakistan
The Economic Times. (2025). India and Pakistanand;#39;s development of drones: Strategic implications.
The Times of India. (2025, June 2). Operation Spider Web: How Ukraine reportedly used AI drone sorties worth 10 iPhone 16 Pro to target Russian bomber aircrafts. Retrieved from https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/technology/tech-news/operation-spider-web-how-ukraine-reportedly-used-ai-drone-sorties-worth-10-iphone-16-pro-to-target-russian-bomber-aircrafts/articleshow/121564436.cms
Vision of Humanity. (2025, April 8). How drones have shaped the nature of conflict. Retrieved from https://www.visionofhumanity.org/how-drones-have-shaped-the-nature-of-conflict/</References>
</References>
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