In a major push to transform frontline capabilities, the Indian Army has equipped about 385 infantry battalions with a dedicated ‘Ashni’ drone platoon each and is fast-tracking the induction of specialised ‘Bhairav’ light commando battalions, the Army’s director general (Infantry) Lieutenant General Ajay Kumar told journalists on Wednesday.
“‘Ashni’ is aimed at revolutionising battlefield awareness and tactical response,” Lt Gen Ajay Kumar said, outlining the scale and tempo of the changes being introduced to meet the demands of modern high-intensity operations.
What an ‘Ashni’ platoon carries
Each newly raised Ashni platoon will operate 10 drones — four dedicated to surveillance/reconnaissance and six loitering munitions (kamikaze drones) — delivering persistent ISR and immediate strike options at battalion level. The capability is intended to provide commanders with rapid, local sensor-to-shooter effects and reduce the decision cycle on the battlefield.
‘Bhairav’ — fast, lethal and networked
The ‘Bhairav’ formations are being introduced as lean, high-agility light commando battalions designed to conduct swift tactical strikes and operate in border and high-intensity contingencies. Key features:
- Organisation: Each Bhairav battalion comprises ~250 specially trained soldiers with embedded elements of artillery, signals and Army Air Defence.
- Deployment tempo: Five battalions were deployed for on-the-job training from 1 October and are slated to be fully operational and battle ready by 31 October. Training for another four battalions has commenced, and the Army aims to stand up an additional 25 battalions within six months.
- Role: Optimised for rapid deployment and strike missions, Bhairavs bridge the capability gap between conventional infantry and elite special forces.
Upgrades to small arms and lethality
The Army is also enhancing infantry lethality through new ordnance and small-arms procurements. Initiatives announced by Gen Kumar include:
- Induction of modern 7.62 mm rifles, next-generation anti-tank systems (4th/5th gen) and new rocket launchers to bolster firepower.
- A Rs 2,770 crore contract has been signed for 4,25,000 close-quarter battle (CQB) carbines to replace older Sterling carbines. Bharat Forge will supply 60% of the order while PLR Systems will supply 40%, with deliveries expected to begin from September 2026.
Context and significance
The announcements come ahead of Shaurya Diwas (Infantry Day) on October 27, and form part of a broader transformation drive to make the 12-lakh-strong Army more networked, lethal and technology-enabled. By embedding organic drone strike capability at battalion level and creating specialised light-strike formations, the Army aims to compress the sensor-to-shooter loop and increase operational agility across diverse theatres.
Lt Gen Ajay Kumar said the combined package of drones, specialised battalions and modern small arms will “significantly enhance the infantry’s reconnaissance reach, target engagement options and tactical flexibility” — a shift he described as essential to meet the challenges of contemporary and future battlefields.
