Self-reliance in the drone age: How India is preparing its army for tomorrow’s wars

When General Upendra Dwivedi retires as chief of army staff on 30 June, he is unlikely to be remembered merely as another army chief who led the world’s second-largest standing army. His tenure may instead be viewed as one of the most transformative periods in the Indian Army’s modern history — a period in which the institution accelerated its transition from a manpower-intensive force into a technology-enabled, future-ready military designed for the battlefield of tomorrow.

Few Army Chiefs have had the opportunity to influence both the character of warfare and the character of the institution simultaneously. Gen Dwivedi did both. His tenure coincided with a dramatic shift in global warfare. Lessons from Ukraine, Gaza and other contemporary conflicts demonstrated that future wars would be shorter, faster, more transparent and increasingly dominated by drones, artificial intelligence, electronic warfare, cyber operations and precision fires. Gen Dwivedi recognised this shift early and moved decisively to prepare the Indian Army for it.

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The Drone Revolution and the New Battlefield

The most visible manifestation of this transformation was the army’s drone revolution. Barely two years ago, the army possessed only a few hundred drones. Today, that number has crossed 50,000 and is expected to double within the next two to three years. Drone and counter-drone capabilities have moved from niche experiments to mainstream operational tools. More than 25 drone and counter-drone hubs have been established across military stations, creating the infrastructure necessary for large-scale induction, training and employment.

The change was not merely quantitative. Under Gen Dwivedi’s leadership, the army dramatically expanded its operational reach. Precision engagement capabilities that once remained largely confined to tactical ranges have evolved towards strike and surveillance architectures capable of operating at distances approaching 500 km. Drones became central to military thinking, reflected not only in operational planning but also in public demonstrations during Army Day and Republic Day celebrations.

It was during this period that Gen Dwivedi acquired an informal title within military circles — “The Drone General.” Yet drones were only the visible tip of a much larger transformation.

Building the Technology-Enabled Soldier

His vision was rooted in a simple idea: Every soldier should become a technology-aware and drone-capable warrior. This philosophy drove the operationalisation of new formations such as Bhairav Battalions, Ashni Platoons, Rudra All Arms Brigades, Shaktibaan Regiments, Divyastra Batteries and the continuing evolution of Integrated Battle Groups. These formations represent a fundamental shift from platform-centric warfare towards capability-centric and multi-domain warfare.

The operational validation of this transformation came during Operation Sindoor. Within strategic circles, the operation is increasingly regarded as a template for India’s future way of war. Integrated planning, real-time intelligence fusion, drones, loitering munitions, electronic warfare and coordinated multi-domain execution demonstrated how future conflicts may be fought. More importantly, the operation showcased Gen Dwivedi’s leadership style — calm under pressure, operationally clear and deeply committed to combining technology with soldiering rather than replacing one with the other.

Along the northern borders, the army simultaneously strengthened surveillance grids, drone deployment, logistics resilience, habitat infrastructure and rapid mobilisation capability. Eastern Ladakh became a laboratory for technological adaptation and operational innovation. Future conflicts with China or Pakistan, military planners increasingly believe, are likely to begin in the cyber, information and drone domains long before conventional firing starts.

Aatmanirbharta, Civil Fusion and Strategic Reach

Gen Dwivedi’s transformation agenda extended beyond warfighting. Aatmanirbharta (self-reliance) became an operational imperative rather than an economic slogan. Today, nearly all special clothing requirements and a substantial proportion of ammunition requirements are sourced domestically. Partnerships with DRDO, private industry, start-ups, MSMEs and academia accelerated the development of indigenous drones, counter-drone systems, AI-enabled technologies and next-generation battlefield solutions.

Equally significant was his focus on military-civil fusion—logistics planning increasingly integrated national infrastructure and civilian capabilities. Civil aviation resources were leveraged to support remote military deployments, preserving precious combat aviation assets for operational contingencies. Nearly 100 dual-use infrastructure projects were launched in collaboration with various ministries, improving both military preparedness and civilian connectivity.

Military diplomacy also emerged as a major pillar of his tenure. Gen Dwivedi elevated international military engagement to unprecedented levels. Through forums such as the UNTCC Chiefs Conclave, attended by chiefs/representatives from 32 countries, and numerous bilateral engagements with foreign military leaders, India strengthened defence relationships across regions. The launch of the “Friends for Life” digital platform further connected nearly 1,00,000 alumni of Indian military training institutions worldwide, creating a unique network of strategic goodwill.

Rewiring the Institution for the Future

Internally, Gen Dwivedi sought to align the army intellectually for future challenges. Nearly 25 doctrines, strategic guidelines, SOPs and policy documents were issued during his tenure, covering areas ranging from land warfare and strategic security to red teaming, physical standards and emerging domains such as space. Together, these documents helped create a common institutional framework for transformation.

Gen Dwivedi’s tenure also reflected a broader understanding of national security. Outreach programmes were conducted across border states, NCC expansion was accelerated by nearly 20 per cent, the Indian Army Internship Programme was launched, and the Veteran Achievers Award was instituted to recognise distinguished veterans. Environmental stewardship became another focus area. The Yamuna Task Force was raised, an Aravali Task Force is planned, and conservation initiatives became integral to Army activities.

Yet, perhaps Gen Dwivedi’s most consequential contribution lies beyond any drone, formation or operation. Large military institutions are naturally cautious. They evolve slowly. His greatest achievement may be that he changed the army’s appetite for adaptation itself. He encouraged an institution built around conventional military power to embrace technology, innovation, jointness and experimentation without losing sight of the soldier at its core.

The Legacy of the Drone General

The Indian Army that Gen Upendra Dwivedi leaves behind is not only better equipped and technologically empowered; it is fundamentally different in outlook. More agile, more networked, more self-reliant and more adaptive than before, it is increasingly prepared for conflicts that will unfold simultaneously across physical, digital and cognitive domains.

Future army chiefs will undoubtedly build upon the foundations laid during his tenure. But historians may ultimately remember the Dwivedi years as the period when the Indian Army accelerated its transformation for the wars of tomorrow while strengthening one of the principal instruments safeguarding India’s territorial integrity, national resilience and rise as a major power.

(The author is a senior journalist and writer. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstpost’s views.)