Agencies | New Delhi:
The Indian Army has initiated its most significant transformation in unmanned warfare by raising specialised Baaz Battalions, dedicated formations that will spearhead drone operations across multiple theatres. The move marks a major shift in the Army’s approach to modern combat, placing drones at the core of battlefield operations rather than treating them as a supporting capability.
The decision, announced by Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi, comes more than a year after Operation Sindoor, during which drones, loitering munitions and counter-drone systems played a pivotal role. The operation reinforced lessons drawn from the Russia-Ukraine conflict and recent conflicts in West Asia, where unmanned aerial systems have emerged as a decisive factor in modern warfare.
Dedicated Drone Warfare Units
Unlike the Army’s existing drone detachments attached to infantry, artillery and other formations, the Baaz Battalions are being established as independent, specialised units focused entirely on unmanned aerial operations.
The Army believes the expanding role of drones—ranging from intelligence gathering to precision strikes—requires dedicated organisations with specialised personnel, advanced equipment and a distinct command structure.
Why the Shift?
Traditionally, drones in the Indian Army have been used primarily for reconnaissance, surveillance and artillery fire correction. However, recent conflicts have demonstrated that unmanned aerial systems now perform a much broader range of missions.
These include deep reconnaissance behind enemy lines, precision strikes against tanks, bunkers and artillery positions, deployment of loitering munitions, swarm drone attacks, battle damage assessment and integration with electronic warfare systems to detect, disrupt and neutralise enemy communications.
Recognising these evolving operational requirements, the Army has decided to establish dedicated drone warfare formations capable of executing the full spectrum of unmanned missions.
Role of Baaz Battalions
According to Army officials, the Baaz Battalions will undertake persistent Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions, long-range aerial surveillance, precision drone strikes, operation of loitering munitions, coordination with artillery and missile units, integration with electronic warfare and counter-drone systems, and support to infantry during both offensive and defensive operations.
Each battalion is expected to operate multiple categories of unmanned aerial systems, enabling it to execute diverse missions instead of relying on a single drone platform.
How They Differ from Ashini
The Army clarified that the Baaz Battalions are distinct from its Ashini initiative, which equips infantry battalions with small tactical drone detachments for frontline surveillance and enhanced battlefield awareness.
While Ashini provides soldiers with immediate tactical reconnaissance capabilities, the Baaz Battalions will function as large, standalone formations dedicated exclusively to drone warfare, capable of conducting sustained operations across wider theatres of conflict.
A New Era of Warfare
The establishment of the Baaz Battalions signals a significant doctrinal shift in the Indian Army’s approach to future warfare. By creating dedicated drone combat formations, the Army aims to integrate intelligence gathering, precision strike capability and persistent unmanned operations into mainstream military strategy.
Drawing on operational experience from Operation Sindoor and lessons from recent international conflicts, the Army is positioning drones as one of the defining combat arms of future battlefields, reflecting the growing importance of unmanned systems in contemporary warfare.
