Drone Technology in the DRC Conflict : Applications, Influence and Impacts

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), commonly referred to as drones, have emerged as a pivotal advancement in global security over the past two decades. Africa has witnessed the adoption of UAVs by over 20 states in the past five years, with significant advancements emerging in North Africa, the Sahel region, and, more recently, the Great Lakes region-particularly amidst the current phase of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) conflict. This study aimed to assess the use of drone technology in the DRC conflict, including its applications, influence, and impacts, between 2022 and 2025. A qualitative case study approach, guided by thematic analysis, enabled a nuanced investigation into the role of drone technology in transforming conflict landscapes and regional security considerations. Primary data were collected through semi-structured interviews with eight key informants (n=8) -including security practitioners, policy analysts, humanitarian workers, and scholars- supplemented by media reports and specialist sources. Findings reveal a strategic paradox in drone deployment within the DRC-while bolstering surveillance and targeting, such technologies also intensify mistrust, civilian harm, and shifting power dynamics across the Great Lakes region. This study argues that drone deployment in the DRC reflects a strategic paradox in security governance augmenting tactical capacity while exacerbating vulnerabilities-underscoring the urgent need for transnational regulatory mechanisms within the Great Lakes security architecture. Evidence points to the importance of regionally coordinated frameworks to regulate drone deployment, mitigate civilian harm, and address militarisation trends that risk shifting deterrence towards confrontation.