New Delhi. After ‘Operation Sindoor’, the Indian Army has made a major change in its war strategy and has taken steps towards increasing its capability to monitor, attack and destroy enemy drones manifold. It is clear from the Army’s Procurement Proposals issued between July and September that the Army is focused on making its entire system related to drone warfare highly modern and impenetrable.
Emphasis on drone purchase and advanced defense systems
According to the tenders issued by the Army, this new system includes modern technology for long-range surveillance, accurate target identification, direct attacks or dropping payloads from First Person View (FPV) drones, giving special drone training to soldiers and detecting and destroying enemy drones. The Army has recently started the process of purchasing 9 ‘Low Altitude Aerial Threat Response and Mitigation System’ to deal with aerial threats coming at low altitudes. Earlier, tender has also been issued for 10 ‘Integrated Long Range Surveillance Drones’.
List of 273 essential equipment for drone manufacturing
To strengthen drone capabilities at the ground level, the Army has released a detailed list of 273 critical spares and equipment. It includes motors, electronic speed controller, ground control system, flight controller, camera, high-capacity battery and ‘remotely operated multi-payload release mechanism’. While normal surveillance drones only work to send live footage or photographs, when equipped with a payload release mechanism, drones become capable of dropping explosives or essential items at designated ranges or enemy targets.
Experts’ opinion: Need for indigenous technology and quick repairs
Defense analysts believe that India will have to assess its drone warfare capability keeping in mind the joint challenges of China and Pakistan. China has advanced electronic warfare, AI technology and huge drone production capacity, while Pakistan is also increasing its drone strength with the help of Chinese technology and Türkiye. In such a situation, the challenge before India is not only to buy drones, but also to continuously monitor the border, accurate counter-attacks and protection from enemy drone attacks. According to experts, to counter China’s capability, India will have to develop indigenous manufacturing, fast repair facilities and the ability to produce drones on a large scale at low cost.
