Indian Army plans 8,000-10,000 UAVs per corps for enhanced drone warfare.
The Indian Army is undergoing a significant transformation to enhance its drone warfare capabilities, aiming to deploy 8,000-10,000 UAVs per corps, as revealed by Chief of Army Staff Gen. Upendra Dwivedi. This restructuring involves dedicating up to 70 personnel in each infantry battalion to specialized drone teams, focusing on indigenous UAV technology to reduce reliance on foreign components. The initiative, shaped by lessons from the May 2025 Operation Sindoor, emphasizes the vital role of drones in intelligence, surveillance, and precision strikes across varied terrains. Despite existing challenges, including R&D funding and skilled manpower shortages, the ambitious plan to integrate drones at every operational level underscores a strategic shift towards achieving air dominance and operational flexibility in contested environments.
