Indian Army Expands Drone Shield After Sindoor Ops

The Indian Army has assumed full responsibility for monitoring aerial activity within a 35-kilometre belt along India’s borders and up to a height of three kilometres, marking a major shift in counter-drone operations. The move comes in response to the growing use of surveillance and armed drones by hostile forces along the western and northern frontiers.

This enhanced role is part of a broader overhaul of military preparedness following Operation Sindoor. Alongside changes in deployment strategy, the Army has introduced rocket regiments and strengthened its drone warfare capabilities. Nearly 97% of all drone and anti-drone operations within this defined airspace are now being handled by the Army.

To support this expanded mandate, new air command and control centres are being set up along the borders with Pakistan and China. These centres will track cross-border drone movements, deploy Indian drones, and neutralise hostile aerial platforms. Coordination between Army Corps Commanders and Indian Air Force commanders will ensure seamless integration of intelligence, air assets, and other agencies.

The Army is also working towards deploying around 10,000 drones in the western theatre and over 20,000 drones along the 3,488-kilometre Line of Actual Control. This push follows incidents during Operation Sindoor, when Pakistan used Turkish and Chinese-origin armed drones to target Indian military formations. On the eastern front, the People’s Liberation Army continues to employ drones extensively to monitor Indian positions along the LAC.

In parallel, the Army has inducted two rocket force units, two combined armed brigades known as Rudra brigades, and 21 Bhairav battalions. The operational range of Indian artillery brigades has been significantly enhanced, extending from 150 kilometres to nearly 1,000 kilometres. These steps mirror regional developments, including China’s deployment of rocket regiments in eastern Ladakh after its 2020 incursions and Pakistan’s use of Fatah-series rockets during Operation Sindoor.

Operation Sindoor was launched in the early hours of May 7, targeting terrorist infrastructure and military installations in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir before a ceasefire came into effect on May 10. The confrontation saw the use of fighter jets, missiles, armed drones, and intense artillery exchanges.

The induction of Bhairav battalions reflects a refined operational doctrine. While Special Forces will focus on deep strategic missions using armed drones and loitering munitions, Bhairav units will handle tactical operations along the borders.

These changes come amid Pakistan’s continued acquisition of advanced drones, radars, missiles, and rockets, underscoring India’s push to reinforce its border security architecture against evolving aerial and missile threats.