India is increasingly recognizing the significance of the air littoral as a critical battleground, particularly in the context of its northern border challenges with China and Pakistan. The current military discourse emphasizes the necessity for seamless integration of manned and unmanned systems, as recent conflicts have highlighted the effectiveness of low-altitude drone operations and rapid decision-making cycles in modern warfare. India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is advancing indigenous drone technologies and counter-drone systems, fostering a shift towards networked airpower capabilities that prioritize the fusion of real-time data from various platforms. This evolving paradigm calls for a fundamental rethinking of military theatre commands to ensure that air and land operations are closely integrated, allowing ground commanders to effectively manage the tactical airspace in a rapidly changing operational landscape. The successful implementation of these strategies and organizational reforms has the potential to enhance India’s military effectiveness and deterrence posture along its borders, compelling adversaries to reassess their low-altitude tactics.