Indian Army’s Drone Induction

Why in News?

The Indian Army is rapidly scaling up drone induction, aiming to make every soldier a drone operator. Drones will support combat, surveillance, logistics, and medical evacuation, while counter-drone systems enhance protection, reflecting drones’ central role in modern warfare.

Description:

• The Indian Army is rapidly inducting drones and counter-drone systems.
  • Drone training centres established at:
    • Indian Military Academy (IMA), Dehradun
    • Infantry School, Mhow (MP)
    • Officers Training Academy (OTA), Chennai
  • Army Chief Gen. Upendra Dwivedi visited a drone facility at Likabali, Arunachal Pradesh.
  • Initiative named “Eagle in the Arm” – every soldier should operate a drone like his personal weapon.

Key Features of the Initiative:

• Objective: Make drone handling a standard capability across all arms of the Army.
• Applications of drones:
  • Combat & precision strikes (incl. loiter munitions)
  • Surveillance & reconnaissance
  • Logistics and resupply in tough terrain
  • Casualty evacuation / medical support
• Counter-Drone Systems:
  • Being inducted in parallel to provide layered protection.
  • Artillery regiments to get counter-drone equipment.

Organisational Measures:

• Drone Platoons: Each infantry battalion to have a dedicated drone platoon.
• Composite Divyastra Batteries: Planned for precision strike & survivability.
• Training Integration: Drones to be taught at premier academies → part of basic soldier skillset.

Significance:

• Force Multiplier: Enhances firepower, surveillance, and situational awareness.
• Modern Warfare: Adapts to new battlefield trends where unmanned systems are essential.
• Border Ops: Especially relevant for monitoring LoC/LAC & counter-infiltration.
• Disaster Relief & HADR: Use for search, rescue, and supply in floods/earthquakes.

Related Defence Tech:

• Loiter Munitions – UAVs with built-in warheads that can loiter & strike.
• Counter-UAV Systems – Use jammers, lasers, radars, kinetic interceptors.
• Indigenous Programs: SWiFT, Rustom, Archer, NETRA drones.

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