Why Drone Warriors Are the New Priority for the Indian Army

The Indian Army is expanding its use of long-endurance drones to strengthen border surveillance and operational reach. On June 29 2026 Chief of the Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi announced the raising of new specialised drone units under the Army Aviation Corps. These formations will manage Remotely Piloted Aircraft for persistent intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance tasks. They will operate platforms such as the MQ 9B SkyGuardian Heron and Hermes drones along with Indian made systems. The units will focus on deep reconnaissance target designation and sustained data management from long flying unmanned aircraft. This move comes as the Army’s overall drone fleet has grown beyond fifty thousand and is expected to double in the coming years. The new formations will work at the operational level and will complement the existing Ashni drone platoons already present in infantry battalions. While Ashni units handle close tactical support the new battalions will provide wider area coverage and longer range coordination. The Army Aviation Corps will command these specialist units to improve persistent monitoring along the borders.