Unmanned Aerial Vehicles are in the spotlight. “Drones are revolutionizing warfare” is an often-uttered claim. But authors making such claims do so thinking about a specific type of UAVs used in specific ways – namely the US’ use of armed UAVs for targeted killings. But whereas the use of armed UAVs is confined to few countries, approximately 70 states operate unarmed tactical UAVs.
My paper explores the impact of these UAVs on military operations and warfare. How are tactical UAVs used? Can their use, even if limited to the tactical level, influence strategy and hence military and political decision-making? To answer these questions I study the use of UAVs by the German Bundeswehr in Afghanistan. Germany constitutes a particularly good case as it has used a range of UAVs over several years. Empirically, my research has benefitted from interviews with Bundeswehr personnel and political officials.
