The Indian Army conducted a significant drone and counter-drone exercise, ‘Vayu Samanvay-II’, from October 28-29, 2025, in the forward areas of the Rajasthan desert sector under the Southern Command. This comprehensive drill aimed to enhance India’s preparedness for next-generation warfare by integrating various aerial and ground assets within a multi-domain command and control framework. Notably, the exercise followed Operation Sindoor, in which Indian forces neutralized nearly 70 Pakistani drones, underscoring the urgency for advanced counter-drone capabilities. Senior Army officials emphasized that this large-scale exercise served as a “reality check,” assessing the operational readiness, interoperability, and technological integration of troops in contested environments. The focus on indigenous technologies reflects India’s growing self-reliance in unmanned systems, with the Army actively inducting domestically developed drones under the ‘Make in India’ initiative. The successful execution of this exercise not only reinforces the Army’s commitment to modernizing its operational capabilities but also highlights its strategic foresight in adapting to the evolving nature of aerial threats, ensuring readiness to counter challenges across all domains. The implications of such advances resonate beyond mere operational preparedness; they signify a transformative approach that bolsters India’s defense posture in a rapidly changing geopolitical landscape, ensuring that the armed forces remain agile and capable of dominating future battlefields.