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In a significant shift in armoured warfare doctrine, the Indian Army has begun raising dedicated drone units, named “Shaurya Squadrons”, within its tank regiments, aiming to fuse unmanned capabilities directly with frontline armour.
The move follows similar initiatives in the infantry and artillery, where specialised drone sub-units have already been introduced. Now, armoured formations are set to get their own embedded aerial support, reflecting a broader push to integrate drones across combat arms.
Unlike higher-echelon drone formations, the Shaurya Squadrons are being structured as company-level units and will operate alongside tank troops in the field. By placing these assets at the same tactical level as armoured companies, each typically comprising around a dozen tanks and over 100 personnel, the Army intends to give commanders immediate access to surveillance, targeting and strike capabilities.
Each squadron is expected to field a mix of surveillance drones, attack drones and loitering munitions, enabling what officials describe as a “see deeper, strike faster” capability. The units will be staffed by around 20–25 specially trained personnel.
The initiative draws heavily from recent conflicts, particularly the war in Ukraine and fighting in Gaza, where drones have emerged as decisive tools for reconnaissance and precision targeting. These lessons have underscored the vulnerability of traditional armour to modern anti-tank threats, while also highlighting how unmanned systems can extend battlefield awareness and lethality.
By pairing drones with tank formations, commanders are expected to gain real-time intelligence on enemy positions, movements and weapon systems. Drones will also scout ahead of advancing columns, helping reduce the risk of ambushes and improving survivability in contested environments.
Sources indicated that the squadrons will perform both surveillance and offensive roles. Among the systems under consideration are First-Person View (FPV) drones capable of striking enemy armour and logistics nodes. However, officials caution that the concept remains in its early stages and will be expanded in phases.
The White Tiger Division has already raised the first such unit under the Sudarshan Chakra Corps. It was recently put through its paces during Exercise Amogh Jwala at the Babina firing range, where it demonstrated real-time reconnaissance and rapid strike coordination alongside armoured elements.
The Indian Army fields 67 armoured units, including the President’s Bodyguard, and operates a fleet of roughly 5,000 tanks, comprising T-90 Bhishma, T-72 Ajeya and Arjun Mk1A platforms. The integration of Shaurya Squadrons is expected to significantly enhance the combat effectiveness of these formations in future high-intensity conflicts.
Team BharatShakti
