India’s military advances towards next-gen warfare have accelerated as the Indian Army converts its soldiers into ‘drone warriors’ following Operation Sindoor. Drones have become crucial in modern warfare, enhancing the Army’s combat capabilities significantly. Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi introduced dedicated drone units called Ashni Platoons on Kargil Vijay Diwas last year, now fully operational across infantry battalions.
The Army’s drone program progresses through basic and advanced training phases, ensuring soldiers at all levels acquire drone operation skills. The advanced training includes simulator-based and field training to handle operational challenges effectively. The training covers various drone applications like surveillance, armed, and logistic drones, fostering joint operational capabilities among services.
During Operation Sindoor, drones not only supported surveillance and combat but also neutralized enemy aerial threats, with Indian forces successfully intercepting Pakistani drones. The Army is expanding its drone ecosystem with training nodes and advanced drone systems procurement. Each infantry battalion now houses an Ashni Platoon, functioning as a specialized drone unit, while officers and soldiers undergo extensive drone operation training.
Under the ‘Eagle in the Arm’ doctrine, soldiers are trained to integrate drones into various roles, including combat, surveillance, logistics, and medical evacuation. Troops are also trained in counter-drone techniques to establish a robust defense system against aerial threats. The Army aims for complete drone capability integration by 2027, with all infantry personnel proficient in drone operations.
