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.
- Drone training centres established at:
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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