Indian Army to expand drone fleet, raise Baaz Battalions to boost surveillance capability: COAS General Upendra Dwivedi
New Delhi, June 29
Chief of Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi on Monday said the force will require continuous induction, upgrades and large-scale replenishment of drones, announcing the raising of specialised "Baaz Battalions" to strengthen intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities.
General Dwivedi said the new initiative will build upon existing Remotely Piloted Aircraft Flights and create a dedicated pool of trained personnel to operate and manage drone systems across the battlefield ecosystem.
"The Army will require continuous induction, upgrades and replenishment of drones on a large scale. To maintain pace with this requirement, one of the most important initiatives is raising Baaz Battalions. This will be built upon the existing Remotely Piloted Aircraft Flights. These battalions will comprise a specialist pool of personnel trained to operate and manage the ecosystem of Remotely Piloted Aircraft," he said.
"This will enhance Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance capabilities through integrated aerial surveillance, persistent battlefield awareness and rapid response," General Dwivedi said.
Highlighting the rapid expansion of unmanned systems in the Indian Army, the Army Chief said drone strength has grown significantly over the past two years.
"About two years ago, the Indian Army possessed only a few hundred drones. Today, that number has grown significantly and now stands beyond 50,000. Based on our current roadmap and operational requirements, we expect this strength to grow further over the next few years and potentially double within the next two to three years," Gen Dwivedi said.
He added that drones are expected to become as common on the battlefield as traditional communication equipment.
"As technology evolves and costs reduce, drones will increasingly become as ubiquitous on the battlefield as radios, night-vision devices and communication equipment," he said.
Responding to a question on Pakistan's drone capabilities, General Dwivedi said the Indian Army closely monitors developments and remains prepared to counter emerging threats.
"It is evident that they have been investing significantly in drones and unmanned systems and continue to draw upon multiple sources for such capabilities. We continuously monitor these developments and assess both capabilities and intentions," the COAS said.
He further asserted that India's focus remains on operational preparedness and counter-drone capability rather than numbers alone.
"For us, a more important consideration is not the exact number of drones held by any adversary, but our ability to detect, track, neutralise and dominate the drone battlespace. I can say with confidence that the Indian Army remains fully prepared to counter present and emerging drone threats across the entire spectrum of operations," General Dwivedi said.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Impressive numbers! But I wonder about the maintenance and logistics of operating 50,000 drones. The Army needs to ensure we have enough trained operators and spare parts. Still, this is a positive step for border security, especially with China and Pakistan.
Baaz Battalions—what a fitting name! Drones will indeed become as common as radios on the battlefield. My only concern is the cost: With rapid expansion, we must ensure no corruption in procurement. Let's make every rupee count for national security. ✊
As someone who follows defence tech, this is a smart move. The Indian Army is clearly prioritising ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance), which is crucial in modern warfare. General Dwivedi's emphasis on counter-drone capability is wise—our enemies are also investing heavily.
Interesting development. The jump from a few hundred to 50,000 drones is remarkable, but I'd like to see more details on how these will be deployed tactically. The mention of 'rapid response' is encouraging—drones can provide real-time intel that saves lives. Good job, Indian Army!
Love the proactive approach! But I hope the Army also focuses on indigenous drone manufacturing under 'Make in India'. We shouldn't depend on foreign suppliers for critical tech. Let's build our own drones, like we are doing with Tejas and other platforms. Jai Hind! 🇮🇳
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