The Indian Army has assumed primary responsibility for monitoring, tracking and neutralising drones along India’s borders with China and Pakistan, marking a major shift in the country’s border surveillance and counter-drone strategy.
As part of this effort, the Army plans to induct nearly 30,000 drones to monitor flying objects within a 35-kilometre land envelope from the border and up to an altitude of three kilometres. The move is aimed at countering the growing threat of hostile unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) intrusions along the western and northern frontiers.
Army Takes Charge of Low-Altitude Airspace
Under the new framework, the Army will oversee tracking and engagement of aerial objects in the designated border zone. Officials said the force already handles around 97 per cent of drone and anti-drone operations in this envelope.
To strengthen surveillance and response, air command and control centres are being set up along the borders with China and Pakistan. These centres will monitor cross-border drone activity, coordinate the deployment of Indian drones and enable swift neutralisation of hostile platforms.
Western and Northern Focus
The Army plans to induct around 10,000 drones in the western theatre opposite Pakistan and over 20,000 drones along the 3,488-km Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China. Area Corps Commanders will work in close coordination with Indian Air Force commanders and other agencies to ensure seamless operations and airspace deconfliction.
Lessons from Recent Conflicts
The expanded drone monitoring regime follows lessons from recent military confrontations. During Operation Sindoor, Pakistan deployed Turkish- and Chinese-origin armed drones against Indian Army and Air Force units. Similarly, the People’s Liberation Army has extensively used drones for surveillance across the eastern sector along the LAC.
Force Restructuring and Firepower Boost
In response to evolving threats, the Army has already raised two rocket force units, two combined-arms Rudra brigades, and 21 Bhairav battalions. The effective reach of artillery brigades has also been enhanced significantly, extending from 150 km to nearly 1,000 km across borders.
The creation of rocket forces was driven by China’s deployment of rocket regiments in eastern Ladakh following the 2020 Galwan Valley clash, as well as Pakistan’s use of Fatah-1 and Fatah-2 rockets during Operation Sindoor.
Strategic Role of Bhairav Battalions
The Bhairav battalions are designed to undertake tactical tasks along the borders, allowing Indian Special Forces to focus on strategic deep-strike operations using armed drones, surveillance platforms and loitering munitions.
Proactive Posture Against Emerging Threats
The Army’s large-scale drone induction and strengthened border surveillance come amid Pakistan’s post-Operation Sindoor acquisitions of armed drones, radars, missiles and rockets, and continued Chinese aerial surveillance along the LAC.
Officials said the measures reflect a proactive and technology-driven approach by the Indian Army to address rapidly evolving aerial threats and ensure dominance in the low-altitude battlespace along both the western and northern borders.
