India accelerates military drone integration and indigenous manufacturing

The Indian military is undergoing a significant shift toward drone integration across all combat formations. The Army has institutionalized a doctrine where unmanned systems are no longer auxiliary assets but frontline tools. This includes equipping nearly 385 infantry battalions with Ashni platoons, which utilize surveillance and kamikaze loitering munitions to enhance battlefield autonomy for company commanders.

Further integration is seen in the armoured corps through Shaurya Squadrons, which embed drone crews within tank regiments, and in artillery units via Divyastra batteries for precision targeting. To support this, India is fast-tracking the procurement of 87 indigenous Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) drones, emphasizing local content to reduce reliance on foreign imports.

In support of these technological advancements, the Army Design Bureau recently reviewed the capabilities of Garuda Aerospace at its Chennai manufacturing facility. The review focused on the company’s indigenous R&D, which includes specialized expertise in secure communication systems, radio frequency antennae, and autonomous swarm drones. The facility supports the complete production lifecycle, from prototyping to full-scale manufacturing and testing.