Determinants of the military use of unmanned aerial vehicle systems integration of the capabilities of general air defense with countering Class I unmanned aerial vehicles in the military protection system

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to analyze the role of general air defense (AAD) in countering Class I unmanned aerial systems (UAVs) and to identify directions for integrating these capabilities into the Polish Armed Forces' military protection system. The first section discusses the evolution of the AAD approach in national and allied doctrinal documents, highlighting its importance as an element of self-defense based on organic forces. Next, the spectrum of threats posed by Class I UAVs is analyzed, with particular emphasis on their role in reconnaissance, fire control, and direct attacks on troops and infrastructure. Lessons learned from contemporary armed conflicts, where the massive use of drones has forced adaptations to tactics, unit organization, and defense measures, are also presented. The final section proposes a systemic approach in which countering Class I UAVs constitutes an integral component of AAD, integrated into a multi-layered air defense system. The need for further modernization, standardization and unification of procedures was emphasized to ensure consistency of operations and optimal use of available resources in the drone-saturated battlefield of the 21st century.