India Sentinels illustration for representation. (© India Sentinels 2025–2026)
New Delhi: The Indian Army will operationalize its first drone-integrated artillery regiments and light commando battalions by late October 2025, India Sentinels has learned. These two new type of inductions will mark a significant shift towards technology-driven warfare capabilities along the country’s contested borders with Pakistan and China.
The Army chief, General Upendra Dwivedi, issued formal implementation orders in August for the deployment of “Shaktibaan” artillery regiments and “Bhairav” light commando battalions, accelerating the timeline originally planned for early 2026.
Artillery with drone integration
The Shaktibaan regiments represent a departure from conventional artillery doctrine, combining traditional firepower with unmanned systems, counter-drone capabilities, and loitering munitions. Unlike standard artillery regiments that operate 18 guns across six batteries, each Shaktibaan regiment will feature three specialized batteries with enhanced weapon numbers and a composite battery operating dual systems.
The new formations incorporate extended-range loitering munitions and remotely piloted aircraft systems, building on the successful “Divyastra” battery concept tested in operational conditions. Advanced fire control computer systems enable comprehensive mission control through secure wireless data links and automated positioning systems.
“The integration of shoot-and-scoot capabilities allows rapid repositioning to avoid counter-battery fire while maintaining autonomous operations,” said a senior artillery officer familiar with the restructuring plans.
Initial deployment will focus on western border sectors facing Pakistan, with subsequent expansion planned across other operational theatres. The regiments are designed to provide heavy artillery support for mobile formations, including the army’s new Rudra all-arms brigades.
Agile commandos for tactical gaps
The Bhairav light commando battalions will comprise 250 specially trained soldiers led by seven to eight officers, significantly smaller than standard infantry battalions of 800 personnel. The Army plans to raise 23 such battalions through a “save and raise” model, drawing personnel from existing formations without requiring additional manpower.
Personnel will undergo two-phase training: initial specialized instruction lasting two to three months at regimental centres, followed by advanced attachments with special forces units in operational areas. The training emphasizes mobility, precision strikes, and advanced technology utilization including drone systems.
The first five battalions will be operational by October 31, 2025. Three units will join Northern Command: one each with 14 Corps in Leh, 15 Corps in Srinagar, and 16 Corps in Nagrota. The remaining two battalions will deploy in desert and hill sectors along the western and eastern borders respectively.
These units are intended to conduct cross-border operations, reconnaissance, and disruption missions, allowing Para-Special Forces to focus on strategic clandestine operations behind enemy lines.
Lessons from recent conflicts
The accelerated timeline follows insights from Operation Sindoor in May, which demonstrated the effectiveness of integrated drone-artillery systems and air defence networks. The operation successfully neutralized 300–400 hostile unmanned aerial vehicles through coordinated hard-kill and soft-kill systems.
The conflict validated India’s integrated approach to counter-drone operations, combining modern systems like Akash missiles with upgraded legacy platforms. These lessons directly informed the enhanced development of Shaktibaan regiments and broader drone integration across military formations.
The modernization extends beyond specialized units to include drone platoon integration across all 400-plus infantry battalions, standardizing unmanned aerial capabilities at the tactical level.
Indigenous production
As India Sentinels had reported earlier, India’s defence production reached an unprecedented ₹150,590 crore in the financial year 2024-25, marking an 18 per cent increase from the previous fiscal’s ₹1.27 lakh crore and representing a remarkable 90 per cent jump since FY 2019-20. The ministry of defence signed record contracts with domestic industry. This approach ensures sustained supply chains for advanced systems while building domestic technological capabilities.
The Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System programme exemplifies indigenous innovation supporting Shaktibaan capabilities. ATAGS provides 40-plus kilometre range, enhanced firing rates of five rounds per minute, and all-electric drive systems for improved reliability across extreme temperature ranges.
Implications for border security
The transformation addresses India’s two-front security challenge, as demonstrated during recent border tensions and the collusive military threat identified during Operation Sindoor. The restructuring enables more flexible force deployment and enhanced deterrent capabilities along both western and northern frontiers.
The changes support India’s shift from division-based formations to more agile brigade-level integrated battle groups capable of coordinated strikes within 12–48 hours. This organizational change reflects lessons from global conflicts and requirements for rapid response capabilities in modern warfare scenarios.
Military analysts note that the simultaneous deployment of both capabilities creates synergistic effects, with Bhairav units providing tactical flexibility while Shaktibaan regiments deliver sustained firepower support.
The compressed implementation timeline indicates recognition of urgent operational requirements and commitment to maintaining deterrent capabilities against potential adversaries in an increasingly complex regional security environment.
