In a significant advancement in enhancing the nation’s border security, the Indian government has sanctioned the establishment of dedicated drone squadrons within the Border Security Force (BSF). This initiative aims to counter cross-border threats, particularly from hostile drones, and facilitate precision strikes when necessary.
The decision comes on the heels of Operation Sindoor, a military operation conducted from May 7 to May 10, during which Pakistan deployed around 1,000 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to target Indian military and civilian infrastructure. This incident has underscored the urgent need for an upgraded response mechanism to aerial threats from across the border.
The newly proposed drone squadrons will operate from sensitive border outposts (BOPs) along the extensive 3,323-km India-Pakistan border, which stretches from Gujarat to Jammu and Kashmir. These drone units will be equipped with a diverse array of UAVs capable of performing various functions, including surveillance, reconnaissance, precision attacks, and even kamikaze missions.
Officials announced that select BSF personnel with technical backgrounds are currently undergoing training in drone operations. The training program focuses on skills such as surveillance techniques, precision strikes, swarm drone attacks, enemy drone engagement, radar blinding, and signal jamming tactics. Each selected BOP is expected to house 2 to 3 trained personnel, all coordinated from a central command center based in Chandigarh.
In response to increased demands for advanced drone technology, senior government representatives are collaborating with both foreign and domestic drone manufacturers to secure appropriate platforms for the new squadrons. Post Operation Sindoor, the need for these capabilities has been prioritized, and government officials indicated that there would be no budget constraints in pursuing this initiative.
The BSF demonstrated its operational effectiveness during Operation Sindoor, where it was instrumental in neutralizing enemy drones and successfully dismantling 118 Pakistani posts. This operation was initiated in retaliation to the terror attack on April 22 in Pahalgam, which claimed the lives of 25 tourists and a local pony walla.
Currently, the BSF oversees 687 border outposts while the Indian Army is tasked with securing the Line of Control (LoC). In addition to enhancing drone capabilities, the BSF plans to fortify bunkers and structures near BOPs to ensure increased protection of personnel against cross-border offensives.
This new drone initiative falls within India’s broader strategy to modernize its border defense infrastructure and maintain tactical superiority in an increasingly complex security environment.
