The Indian Army is embracing a new era of warfare by equipping every soldier with drone operation skills. This ‘Eagle in the Arm’ initiative, designed to augment the power of each soldier with a drone, is a direct response to lessons learned from Operation Sindoor (2025).
During Operation Sindoor, the Indian Army successfully employed drones and swarm technology on a large scale. This led to significant failures for Pakistan’s air defense systems, including the Chinese-supplied HQ-9B and HQ-16 missiles. The operation demonstrated the crucial roles drones can play in modern conflicts, including:
* Disrupting enemy air defense radar systems.
* Facilitating precise strikes, allowing the Indian Air Force and Army to establish a strong presence.
* Confirming drones as vital assets in contemporary warfare.
The evolving nature of warfare, as seen in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the Middle East (Israel-Gaza) clashes, and the Azerbaijan-Armenia conflict, highlights the increasing importance of drones. Recognizing these global trends, the Indian Army has formulated a comprehensive plan:
* Each infantry battalion will have a dedicated drone platoon.
* Artillery regiments will be equipped with counter-drone systems and loitering munitions.
* Drone training centers have been established in Dehradun (IMA), Mhow (Infantry School), and Chennai (OTA).
* The army aims to open 19 more training centers and acquire 1,000 training drones and 600 simulators.
General Upendra Dwivedi, the Army Chief, emphasized the future of warfare during Kargil Vijay Diwas (July 26, 2025), stating that every soldier would carry a rifle and a ‘flying hawk’ – a drone. This integration of drones will significantly improve combat capabilities. The Indian Army is transforming the lessons from Operation Sindoor into a long-term strategy to ensure operational readiness and effectiveness.