Modern warfare no longer takes place in trenches or with tank battalions advancing across borders. The battlefields of today are shaped by unseen aerial sentinels: drones. From Ukraine’s skies to the contested waters of the Indo-Pacific, unmanned systems are transforming what military dominance means.

Recognizing this global shift, the Indian Army has launched one of the largest technological overhauls in its history, a transformation powered by indigenous defence drones. The goal is clear: deploy thousands of intelligent, homegrown FPV drones and UAVs that can deliver real-time intelligence, precision strikes, and logistical support.

By fielding an estimated 8,000 to 10,000 drones per corps, the Army is preparing to saturate the battlefield with autonomous systems that can think, react, and strike faster than human reflexes. 

This marks not just modernization but a redefinition of power projection in modern warfare.

Lessons from Operation Sindoor: The Catalyst for Change

The urgency behind India’s drone revolution stems from Operation Sindoor, a four-day conflict with Pakistan in May 2025. During the battle, Pakistan deployed advanced drone swarms that jammed GPS signals across a 150-kilometer front, exposing India’s heavy reliance on imported drone components, nearly 70% of which were sourced from China.

The incident was a wake-up call. The Army realized that technological dependency could paralyze entire operations. In response, Chief of Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi announced a sweeping modernization plan focused on building a fully indigenous drone ecosystem.

“We are transforming into a modern, future-oriented force,” General Dwivedi declared, emphasizing that drones are now essential force multipliers, not mere support tools.

The Battalion Overhaul: Drones on the Frontline

At the core of this transformation is a structural reform of infantry battalions. Traditionally manpower-heavy, these units are now embedding dedicated drone platoons of 30 to 70 soldiers, trained to operate and maintain defence drones in combat.

These specialized platoons focus on four operational domains:

  • Swarm operations

  • FPV (First Person View) drones

  • Loitering munitions

  • Counter-UAV defense

Among these, FPV drones stand out as the most revolutionary. These agile quadcopters stream live footage directly to the pilot’s headset, offering a cockpit-like perspective of the battlefield. This real-time view enables soldiers to scout enemy positions, conduct targeted strikes, and maneuver through hostile zones,  all without risking human lives.

Lt. Gen. D.S. Hooda, a key architect of this reform, aptly said, “It’s like strapping a soldier’s eyes to the sky.”

The result: unparalleled battlefield awareness and precision. With FPV technology, Indian soldiers can now outthink and outmaneuver the enemy, striking with surgical accuracy even in high-risk environments.

Indigenous Innovation: Powering India’s Drone Ecosystem

India’s drone strategy aligns perfectly with its Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India) vision. With 14 corps under the Army, the total number of UAVs could soon exceed 100,000 units, potentially creating one of the largest military drone networks in the world.

To meet this demand, the Army is collaborating closely with domestic innovators like insideFPV, which is building rugged, combat-ready FPV drones capable of handling electronic warfare, high altitudes, and extreme climates. These drones are engineered to operate even in GPS-denied environments, ensuring mission success under any condition.

Government-Backed Momentum

Three major initiatives are driving this indigenous revolution:

Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme:
Encourages large-scale production of locally built defence drones, reducing import dependency and boosting domestic capacity.

Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX):
Funds Indian startups developing advanced UAVs designed for GPS-jammed or denied zones, a key lesson from Operation Sindoor.

Army Design Bureau (ADB):
Under Maj. Gen. C.S. Mann, the ADB is streamlining procurement, building local supply chains, and ensuring that indigenous UAVs reach units faster than ever before.

Together, these programs are turning India into a global hub for military drone innovation.

Drones Across the Armed Forces

Drone integration in India is not confined to infantry units. Every branch of the Army is now weaving drones into its core functions, redefining operational dynamics across the board.

Corps of Electronics and Mechanical Engineers (EME):
Establishing drone repair and maintenance sections to ensure quick turnaround during missions.

Logistics Units:
Using utility UAVs to deliver supplies to forward posts in high-altitude areas like Siachen and Ladakh, where terrain often limits traditional access.

Specialized Combat Formations:

  • Bhairav Light Commando Battalions: 250-member elite units using FPV overwatch for rapid, high-precision raids.

  • Rudra Brigades: Integrating mechanized infantry, special forces, and drones for coordinated, multi-domain warfare.

  • Divyastra Batteries: Combining kamikaze drones with artillery units for deep, precision-based strikes.

  • Shaktibaan Units: Dedicated unmanned combat groups focusing entirely on drone strike operations.

This layered integration ensures that every command level, from battalion to corps, benefits from real-time aerial intelligence and autonomous strike capability.

Challenges on the Path to Drone Dominance

Despite the rapid progress, India faces several challenges in building a drone-saturated Army. Limited R&D funding, a shortage of skilled drone operators, and restrictive regulations around beyond-visual-line-of-sight (BVLOS) operations remain obstacles.

However, the ecosystem is evolving fast. The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has pivoted from older, bulky UAVs like Nishant and Rustom to smaller, soldier-portable drones. Simultaneously, private companies are exploring AI-driven swarm control and advanced anti-jamming technologies.

Firms like insideFPV are designing next-generation FPV drones that combine endurance, precision, and autonomy, crucial traits for 21st-century warfare.

The Strategic Shift: From Surveillance to Strike

The rise of defence drones represents a fundamental change in how wars are fought. Traditional warfare emphasized manpower and firepower; modern warfare depends on speed, information, and automation.

FPV drones and swarm systems give India the ability to strike deep into enemy territory with surgical precision, while minimizing human risk. They also serve as force multipliers, enhancing coordination between infantry, artillery, and air units.

This networked approach embodies the Army’s move toward multi-domain operations, where intelligence, speed, and adaptability define victory.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is the Indian Army focusing on drones now?
Recent conflicts, especially Operation Sindoor, revealed the decisive role of drones in modern warfare. These systems provide real-time intelligence, precision targeting, and enhanced situational awareness, making them indispensable to future combat.

What makes FPV drones unique in military use?
FPV drones (First Person View drones) stream live video to the pilot’s headset, providing a cockpit-like experience. This allows soldiers to conduct reconnaissance, spot targets, and perform precision strikes while remaining safe from enemy fire.

How many drones will the Indian Army deploy in total?
The Army plans to deploy around 8,000 to 10,000 defence drones per corps, totaling over 100,000 units across 14 corps, creating one of the largest unmanned military fleets in the world.