The Use of Armed Drones and their Impact on Contemporary Warfare

Drones, or unmanned aerial vehicles, are transforming the way war is waged, becoming a fundamental weapon in contemporary armed conflicts. They have been used by US armed forces and intelligence services, not only in reconnaissance operations but also in controversial attacks against civilians in the US-led fight against terrorism, mainly in the Middle East and Asia. This paper seeks to highlight the relevance and topicality of the debate surrounding the use of armed drones for targeted strikes as a means of combating terrorism, considering that the parameters for assessing and determining the legality of this type of action differ depending on the legal regime applicable to each specific case.