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*New Delhi, August 2025* — In a landmark shift in its military doctrine,the Indian Army has decided to permanently integrate drones into combatunits at the *battalion level*, making them a central part of itsbattlefield capabilities. This decision comes in the aftermath of *OperationSindoor*, a large-scale counter-terror and cross-border military operationearlier this year, which highlighted the need for real-time surveillance,precision strikes, and autonomous battlefield systems.
Under this transformation, each infantry battalion will now be equippedwith a *dedicated drone platoon*, responsible for both surveillance andoffensive drone operations. Previously, drones were used sparingly andoften as support tools. Now, they are being embedded into the operationalcore. As part of this reform, approximately *70 soldiers per unit are beingreassigned and specially trained* to operate drones. These teams willmanage a range of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), including reconnaissancedrones and loitering munitions such as the *Nagastra‑1*, a suicide dronedeveloped under India’s indigenous defense initiative.
This is part of a broader structural shift within the Indian Army, whichincludes the creation of two new operational units—*Bhairav Light CommandoBattalions* and *Rudra Brigades*. The Bhairav units, each comprising 250highly trained personnel, are designed for rapid deployment and specialmissions in high-risk environments. The *Rudra Brigades*, on the otherhand, will be “all-arms integrated” formations, combining infantry,artillery, armored units, drone platoons, and logistics teams under aunified command structure. These brigades are intended to operateindependently and execute complex missions with high mobility and minimalexternal support.
A key feature of this overhaul is the *emphasis on indigenous droneproduction*. The Indian Army is working closely with local defense firmsand startups under the *Atmanirbhar Bharat* (Self-Reliant India)initiative. Domestic companies are supplying a variety of UAVs, includingthe *Rudrastra VTOL drones*, which can take off vertically and offerreal-time battlefield intelligence. Indian startups such as *ApollyonDynamics* are also contributing to the production of high-speed,kamikaze-style drones tailored for the Army’s needs.
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To validate these new doctrines and technologies, the Indian Army hasalready conducted several *live battlefield simulations*. Exercises such as*Sarvshakti* demonstrated *Manned-Unmanned Teaming (MUM‑T)*, where soldiersworked in tandem with AI-powered drones and robots to perform coordinatedreconnaissance and assault missions. Another exercise, *Drone Prahar*, wasconducted in Arunachal Pradesh, showcasing the use of drone swarms fortarget acquisition and precision strikes in mountainous terrain.
These changes signal a significant shift in the Army’s strategy—fromconventional, manpower-heavy warfare to *technology-driven, autonomous, andfast-paced operations*. By embedding drones at the tactical level andcombining them with advanced command structures and AI support, the Indianmilitary aims to counter growing threats from both China and Pakistan moreeffectively.
This evolution is not just about firepower; it’s about *speed, agility, andprecision*. In an era where warfare is increasingly digital and autonomous,the Indian Army’s decision to make drones a *permanent battlefield weapon*marks a critical step toward modern warfare readiness and strategicself-reliance.