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Indian Army Deploys Drone Platoons Across 380 Battalions, Raises Bhairav Units, Finalizes ₹2,770 Crore Carbine Order

The overhaul aims to create agile, lethal, technology‑enabled, self‑reliant infantry formations.

Overview

  • Five Bhairav light commando battalions are raised and in on‑the‑job training through October 30, with plans to expand to 25 battalions within six months.
  • Each infantry battalion now fields an Ashni drone platoon of roughly 20–25 personnel operating multiple ISR platforms and armed systems, including loitering munitions and FPV strike drones.
  • The government placed an order for 4.25 lakh close‑quarter carbines split between Bharat Forge (60%) and PLR‑Adani (40%), with deliveries slated to begin within a year and conclude in two.
  • Emergency procurement of 104 Javelin missiles and 12 launchers is in the pipeline as part of broader anti‑tank modernisation alongside indigenous ATGM efforts.
  • Army leaders say lessons from Operation Sindoor are shaping doctrine focused on precision ISR, battlefield transparency, multi‑domain jointness, and training under six transformation pillars.