Introduction: Drones and International Security in the Age of Manned Aircraft
摘要
The introduction chapter lays the conceptual groundwork for understanding the strategic significance of drones in contemporary military affairs. It highlights the growing importance of the global drone race while cautioning against exaggerated claims of a revolution, noting that drones complement rather than replace traditional airpower such as fighter jets. The chapter also introduces the Offense–Defense Balance (ODB) theory as a key analytical lens for assessing the impact of drones on military stability and escalation dynamics. Finally, it outlines the structure of the book, detailing how each chapter contributes to a comprehensive understanding of the political, strategic, and technological implications of unmanned systems in global security.