New Delhi: The Indian Army assumes responsibility for monitoring drones along borders with China and Pakistan — a strategic shift in India’s border security posture that expands surveillance up to 35 kilometres inland and 3 kilometres in altitude.
This initiative aims to counter the rising threat posed by surveillance and armed unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) operating near India’s frontiers with Pakistan and China, marking a major modernization milestone in defensive operations.
Indian Army Drone Surveillance : Why India Took This Step
In recent years, India has faced increased drone activity along its western and northern borders. These unmanned aerial vehicles — used for surveillance, intelligence gathering, and even strikes — have become central to modern conflicts.
The decision to assign the Indian Army primary responsibility for managing low-altitude airspace reflects this evolving threat landscape.
This shift comes in the backdrop of Operation Sindoor, a high-intensity conflict scenario where Pakistan employed a mix of Turkish and Chinese drones against Indian military positions, compelling New Delhi to rethink its aerial defence strategy.
Details of Indian Army Drone Surveillance
Under the new mandate:
- The Indian Army will monitor and neutralise all flying objects within a 35 km land radius from the borders with China and Pakistan.
- This surveillance extends up to 3 km in altitude, covering low-altitude airspace that was previously harder to control.
- The Army already conducts around 97% of drone and anti-drone activities within this zone, underscoring its central role in aerial defence.
Establishing this dedicated airspace monitoring zone enhances early detection of hostile platforms, reducing the risk of infiltration or surprise attacks.
Massive Drone Induction Plan
To strengthen this operation, the Indian Army is set to induct approximately 30,000 drones, forming a layered surveillance apparatus.
The broad allocation includes:
- About 10,000 drones for deployment along the western theatre opposite Pakistan.
- Over 20,000 drones along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China, which spans roughly 3,488 kilometres.
This expansive drone network will serve multiple roles — surveillance, tracking, reconnaissance, and potential neutralisation of hostile UAVs — positioning unmanned systems as force multipliers in both peacetime vigilance and conflict scenarios.
New Command & Control Centres Along Borders
To manage these advanced systems, the Army is setting up air command and control centres along both the China and Pakistan borders.
These centres will:
- Continuously monitor cross-border drone activity.
- Coordinate real-time responses to intrusions.
- Direct friendly drone missions.
- Work in close cooperation with the Indian Air Force and intelligence agencies for seamless operation.
This integrated approach ensures a united defensive front, blending ground and aerial resources against drone-based threats.
What is the Significance of Indian Army Drone Surveillance
The expanded role of the Army in drone surveillance marks a tactical and technological shift:
From Reactive to Proactive Defence
Previously, Indian defence forces relied on reactive measures after detection of drone incursions. Under the new strategy:
- Proactive tracking replaces delayed responses.
- Integrated systems help predict drone paths before they cross key military positions.
This improvement enhances readiness and reduces vulnerabilities near sensitive areas.
Coordinated Border Security Ecosystem
Joint efforts with:
- Indian Air Force (for aerial interception support),
- Intelligence agencies (for threat verification),
- Army Corps areas (for ground-based responses)— ensure a synchronized defence grid.
Regional Security Context
This policy follows several drone-related incidents, especially during Operation Sindoor, when hostile drones were reportedly used by adversaries against Indian assets.
Across India’s borders:
- Pakistan has employed armed and reconnaissance drones in tactical operations.
- China’s People’s Liberation Army regularly deploys UAVs along the LAC for surveillance and mapping.
Such activities have elevated drones from experimental tools to strategic assets in regional security calculations.
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