Army to Operate 10,000 Drones in West; 20,000+ Along 3,488 km LAC

The Indian Army has assumed full responsibility for monitoring low-altitude airspace along India’s borders with China and Pakistan, marking a major shift in the country’s counter-drone and air surveillance strategy. Under the new framework, the Army will track all flying objects within 35 kilometres of the border and up to a height of three kilometres, a move aimed at countering the growing threat of enemy surveillance and armed drones along both the western and northern fronts.

This enhanced monitoring regime follows lessons drawn from Operation Sindoor, during which Pakistan deployed Turkish- and Chinese-origin armed drones to target Indian Army and Air Force positions. With nearly 97% of drone and anti-drone activity falling within the defined 35 km by 3 km envelope, the Army is now establishing dedicated air command and control centres along the borders with China and Pakistan to detect, track, launch, and neutralise drones in real time.

According to sources, the Indian Army is working toward acquiring the capability to operate around 10,000 drones across the western theatre and more than 20,000 drones along the 3,488-kilometre Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China. These assets will be integrated into a coordinated command structure, with area corps commanders working closely with Indian Air Force counterparts and intelligence agencies to ensure seamless information sharing and rapid operational responses.

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The move also reflects broader force restructuring undertaken after Operation Sindoor. In addition to counter-drone measures, the Army has deployed two rocket force units, two combined armed “Rudra” brigades, and 21 Bhairav battalions. The range of Indian artillery brigades has been significantly enhanced, expanding from about 150 kilometres to nearly 1,000 kilometres, allowing deeper reach across borders if required. The raising of rocket forces comes in response to China’s deployment of rocket regiments along the LAC after the 2020 East Ladakh standoff and Pakistan’s use of Fatah-1 and Fatah-2 rockets during Operation Sindoor.

China’s People’s Liberation Army continues to deploy drones extensively along the eastern theatre to monitor Indian positions, reinforcing New Delhi’s assessment that unmanned systems will play a central role in future border confrontations. India’s own experience in recent years—from the Galwan Valley clash in 2020 to the air, missile, drone, and artillery exchanges during Operation Sindoor in May 2025—has underlined the need for persistent, layered surveillance and rapid-response capabilities.

The introduction of Bhairav battalions is intended to sharpen this edge further. While Special Forces will remain focused on deep strategic missions inside enemy territory using armed drones, loitering munitions, and surveillance platforms, the Bhairav units are designed for high-tempo tactical roles along the border. Together, these measures signal a decisive shift by the Indian Army toward drone-centric warfare and integrated air-ground command as it prepares for increasingly complex threats along both the western and northern frontiers.

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