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In a major step toward preparing for next-generation warfare, the Indian Army has conducted a large-scale drone and counter-drone exercise, ‘Vayu Samanvay-II’, in the forward areas of the Desert Sector under the aegis of the Southern Command. The two-day exercise, held from October 28 to 29, focused on validating the Army’s readiness for technology-driven combat in a complex, electronic warfare environment.
Designed to simulate realistic battlefield conditions, the exercise integrated aerial and ground assets through multi-domain command and control centres, enabling coordinated operations against simulated enemy threats. The focus was on developing and testing doctrinal concepts for drone deployment and counter-drone operations—both of which are emerging as decisive elements in modern warfare.
The harsh desert terrain and weather conditions offered an ideal proving ground for troops to test new tactics and evaluate the performance of indigenous technologies under operational stress. The exercise also showcased joint interoperability among various arms of the Indian Army, reinforcing the importance of networked and technology-enabled operations in sensitive frontier regions.
Lieutenant General Dhiraj Seth, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Southern Command, lauded the success of the exercise, noting that the lessons drawn from it would directly inform capability development and the accelerated induction of drone and counter-drone systems across the Army.
“‘Vayu Samanvay-II’ represents a significant stride in the Indian Army’s ongoing transformation towards a technology-driven, agile and future-ready force capable of dominating the evolving battlespace,” an Army statement said.
The Indian Army reiterated its commitment to modernisation, innovation and readiness across all operational domains, emphasising that continuous experimentation and field validation are key to maintaining an edge against emerging aerial threats.
Team BharatShakti
