Overview

• Officials said the Army is rapidly scaling up drones and counter-drone systems, with multiple units already operationalised.
• Chief of Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi visited a drone centre at Likabali in Arunachal Pradesh to highlight the focus on operationalisation.
• Dedicated drone centres have been established at the Indian Military Academy in Dehradun, the Infantry School in Mhow, and the Officers Training Academy in Chennai.
• The 'Eagle in the Arm' approach aims to make every soldier capable of operating a drone for missions spanning combat, surveillance, logistics and medical evacuation.
• Following directives outlined in July, infantry battalions will field drone platoons as artillery inducts counter-drone systems and loitering munitions, with composite Divyastra batteries planned.