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In the wake of Operation Sindoor, the Indian Armed Forces are undergoing a significant transformation, placing drones and counter-drone systems at the centre of their future warfighting doctrine. Marking a decisive shift toward network-centric and autonomous warfare, the Indian Army is set to embed drones as standard assets down to the battalion level, across infantry, artillery, armoured, and engineer formations.
This strategic pivot follows the Ministry of Defence’s approval on August 6 of major capital procurement proposals worth Rs 67,000 crore, including the acquisition of 87 indigenous MALE (Medium Altitude Long Endurance) armed drones, designed for long-endurance surveillance and precision strike operations.
“What Sindoor proved beyond doubt is that drones are no longer support systems; they are frontline assets. We cannot rely on fragmented drone usage anymore,” said a senior officer involved in the post-operation planning.
From Tactical Success to Strategic Doctrine
Operation Sindoor, launched in May in response to the Pahalgam terror attack, involved precision drone strikes deep inside Pakistani territory, targeting infrastructure linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed. The extensive use of drones for real-time surveillance, target acquisition, and direct kinetic engagement proved transformative, prompting a re-evaluation of the Indian military’s operational architecture.
Drawing lessons from contemporary conflicts such as in Ukraine, India now views drones not as force multipliers but as force definers, integral to both deterrence and combat effectiveness.
Next-Gen Indigenous Drones to Lead the Charge
The centrepiece of this drone induction push is the TAPAS-BH-201, an indigenous MALE UAV developed by DRDO under the Rustom programme. Capable of autonomous takeoff and landing (ATOL), integrated with India’s GAGAN satellite navigation system, TAPAS has demonstrated 18-hour endurance and can operate at altitudes up to 27,500 feet. HAL will manufacture the first five units, with deliveries expected to begin next year.
In parallel, the Archer UAV – a tactical, weaponised variant of the Rustom lineage – is poised to enter service. Designed for ISR and precision strike roles, it will carry Helina anti-tank missiles, laser-guided rockets, and eventually air-to-air missiles. BEL is the lead integrator for the Archer, with testing slated to begin within a year.
Permanent Drone Units at Battalion Level
The Army’s reform blueprint includes the creation of dedicated drone and counter-drone teams at the unit level, moving away from ad hoc deployments. Infantry battalions will now integrate platoon- and company-level surveillance drones, requiring the reassignment and training of around 70 personnel per battalion.
Other formations are also being restructured:
- Artillery regiments will field a third “drone battery” alongside their gun batteries.
- Mechanised units will incorporate strike drones into reconnaissance elements.
- Engineer regiments will deploy drones for mine detection, terrain mapping, and combat engineering.
Integrated Brigades and Specialised Units
The Army’s modernisation goes beyond UAVs. Key initiatives include:
- 30 new Bhairav Light Commando Battalions for high-risk missions.
- Development of Rudra Brigades, combined-arms formations with integrated drones, logistics, and surveillance.
- Creation of “Divyastra” artillery batteries armed with loitering munitions and long-range precision systems, featuring built-in ISR and anti-drone cover.
- Conversion of one squadron in each armoured regiment into drone-heavy units to support deep reconnaissance and mobile strike roles.
Even Army Aviation and EME Corps will be upgraded to enhance drone support, maintenance, and rapid turnaround capabilities.
Industry Set to Soar
These developments are expected to trigger a wave of activity in India’s defence sector, particularly among firms aligned with UAV and electronic warfare production. Companies like HAL, BEL, L&T, Bharat Dynamics Limited, and others are positioned to benefit from the shift toward drone-centric warfare and the emphasis on domestic production under the ‘Buy Indian’ procurement category.
From Sindoor to Strategy
Operation Sindoor was not just a successful mission—it was a strategic inflection point. India’s defence establishment has absorbed the lesson: modern warfare demands persistent ISR, precision strikes, and layered autonomy—all areas where drones are now leading the charge.
As one defence analyst put it: “Sindoor wasn’t just a strike – it was a signal. Drones are now our eyes, our reach, and increasingly, our edge.”
Huma Siddiqui
