Army Showcases Next-Gen Drone Warfare Capabilities in Major Ambala Exercise

The Indian Army has taken a decisive step toward future warfare by validating its operational concepts for employing unmanned aerial systems (UAS) in combat, drawing key lessons from its recent Operation Sindoor.

During a five-day exercise titled “Vayu Samanvay”, held at the Naraingarh Field Firing Ranges near Ambala, formations from the Western Command and South-Western Command carried out coordinated offensive and defensive manoeuvres. The exercise featured an array of drones and counter-drone systems operating in simulated battle conditions.

Drones at the Core of Modern Warfare

Lt Gen Manoj Kumar Katiyar, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Western Command, emphasized that drones are now deeply integrated into every arm of the Army — from surveillance and precision strikes to supply delivery in high-altitude regions.

“Operation Sindoor provided several lessons in drone operations, and these are now being refined for tactical employment,” Lt Gen Katiyar said. “There is increased focus on the fabrication of drones, their local development, and training of troops to operate them effectively.”

He added that the Army is placing strong emphasis on drone warfare training to ensure future confrontations result in “far more severe punishment” for any adversary.

Indigenous Drone Systems Take Flight

The exercise showcased tactical drones built by both Army units and the domestic defence industry. These drones, capable of carrying a 5 kg payload and operating within a 5 km range, were employed for battlefield reconnaissance, precision strikes, and logistics support.

According to Lt Gen Katiyar, the Army’s arsenal also includes high-end drones with longer range and higher payload capacities. Thousands more will be needed in the coming years to meet operational and logistical demands. Significantly, the ammunition for these drones is also being fabricated locally, reflecting India’s growing self-reliance in defence technology.

Lessons from Operation Sindoor and Real-World Deployments

Officers involved in the exercise noted that the dual focus was on enhancing offensive capabilities and countering enemy UAS — both key takeaways from Operation Sindoor.

The Army’s evolving drone strategy isn’t confined to warfare alone. During the recent floods across north-west India, drones were deployed to carry out reconnaissance and deliver relief materials to inaccessible areas, effectively supplementing or replacing helicopters.

Empowering Rural Women Through Drone Training

Lt Gen Katiyar also highlighted the Army’s support for the government’s “Drone Didi” initiative, which trains women in rural India to use drones for agricultural and livelihood applications. He announced that the Army would soon launch its own training programme to assist such women, strengthening civil-military collaboration in drone technology.

Simulated Battles Between ‘Suryadesh’ and ‘Chandradesh’

In the culminating phase of Vayu Samanvay, formations from the two Commands represented rival nations — ‘Suryadesh’ and ‘Chandradesh’. The opposing forces demonstrated simulated drone attacks and counter-drone tactics, employing drone swarms to drop live ordnance, including artillery shells and mortar bombs.

The large-scale exercise served as a vivid demonstration of how drones are reshaping the dynamics of warfare — from surveillance and logistics to precision targeting and defence.

With indigenous innovation at its core and lessons from past operations guiding its future, the Indian Army is clearly preparing for a new era where the battle for air dominance begins not with fighter jets, but with drones.