Drone Operations Intensified During Operation Sindoor: India's Current Standpoint Revealed
India's Drone Revolution: A Shift Towards Autonomous Warfare
India is accelerating its advancement in drone technology, with a focus on defense applications and strategic partnerships. This rapid development, driven by both indigenous innovation and imports, positions India as a regional leader in drone warfare.
Indigenous Drone Swarm Capabilities
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and startups like NewSpace, Raphe, and IdeaForge are leading the charge in autonomous drone swarm technology. India aims to accelerate this development to counter threats, particularly from China [1][2].
Recently, the Indian Army demonstrated the operational use of drone swarm capabilities in a precision attack on ULFA-I camps in Myanmar [2]. This operational usage highlights the growing reliance on interconnected, automated swarm systems to enhance tactical effectiveness.
Balancing the Fleet
India's drone fleet is a blend of locally produced drones and advanced technologies imported from Israel and France. This hybrid strategy provides access to sophisticated technology while promoting self-reliance [2].
The Growing Drone Market
India's drone market, primarily defense-driven, is expected to grow significantly. By 2029, the market is projected to expand from about $654 million to $1.44 billion, with unit sales increasing substantially [3].
Future Technology Trends
Integration of AI, advanced sensors, and swarm autonomy is a priority, supported by government incentives and a vibrant startup ecosystem. India aims to leverage these technologies to become a global drone tech leader by 2030 [4].
Counter-Drone Strategies
To counter potential aerial threats, India is developing a layered, smart, and indigenous defense system. This includes defensive drone swarms capable of intercepting hostile drone swarms, directed energy weapons (DEWs) for rapid, reload-free drone destruction, electronic warfare (EW) systems to disrupt enemy drones' GPS and data links, portable anti-drone solutions, and infrastructure hardening to protect critical facilities [1].
Emerging Threats
Emerging threats include high-altitude swarm drones potentially developed by China and Pakistan, capable of flying at 5,000-10,000 feet, beyond the reach of conventional Indian anti-air guns. These drones could saturate Indian defenses and exhaust missile stocks before missile attacks [5].
Countermeasures and Future Plans
To address these threats, India is proposing a national Counter-Unmanned Aerial System (C-UAS) Grid, establishing spectrum hardened corridors, funding micro-DEW prototypes, implementing licensing and criminalisation, deploying a decoy and honey-net strategy, and launching a STEM workforce pipeline to train technicians in drone repair and C-UAS operations [1][2][3][5].
The cost asymmetry between a single surface-to-air missile and an incoming drone is significant, making it economically advantageous to invest in counter-drone technologies. India is taking proactive steps to ensure its defense against drone threats, aiming to maintain its position as a regional leader in drone warfare.
[1] India Today [2] The Economic Times [3] The Diplomat [4] Financial Express [5] Livemint
- The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and startups like NewSpace, Raphe, and IdeaForge are also focusing on counter-drone strategies to counter potential aerial threats, such as developing defensive drone swarms capable of intercepting hostile drone swarms.
- In addition to autonomous drone swarm technology, mains areas of interest in Indian technology and politics also include data-and-cloud-computing, cybersecurity, and general-news media outlets like India Today, The Economic Times, The Diplomat, Financial Express, and Livemint.
- The Indian drone market, with a growing emphasis on sports applications, is forecasted to grow significantly, with unit sales increasing substantially by 2029, valued at $1.44 billion.
- While India's move towards autonomous warfare has strategic significance, it will also have societal and political implications, particularly in the realm of crime-and-justice, as the use of drone technology raises ethical questions about privacy, surveillance, and accountability.
