The Indian Army is set to enhance its operational capabilities through the establishment of dedicated Baaz Battalions, as announced by Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi. This initiative aims at managing the large-scale induction and upgrading of drones and Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPAs), significantly improving the Army’s Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities.
In his statement to Asian News International, General Dwivedi emphasized the necessity for a continuous influx of drones to meet the Army’s expanding requirements. He articulated that the formation of Baaz Battalions is a critical step in this direction, building upon the existing Remotely Piloted Aircraft Flights. These battalions will comprise a specialized personnel pool trained to operate and maintain the full RPA ecosystem, thereby enhancing battlefield awareness, integrated surveillance, and rapid response capabilities.
The Baaz Battalions, which derive their name from the Hindi term for hawk or falcon, symbolizing aerial strength, will represent a significant organizational upgrade from the currently dispersed RPA Flights. Instead of maintaining separate or ad-hoc drone units, the Army plans to consolidate expertise within dedicated battalions staffed with specialized manpower. This new structure will cover every aspect of RPA operations, from deployment and maintenance to data analysis and collaboration with ground forces, thereby ensuring a sustained operational tempo.
The announcement fits into the Indian Army’s larger “Decade of Transformation” strategy under General Dwivedi’s leadership, which has seen the rapid expansion of the Army’s drone capabilities from a few hundred platforms to over 50,000. This initiative has also led to the establishment of several Drone and Counter-Drone Hubs across the country.
Complementary to the Baaz Battalions, the Army is implementing multiple initiatives, including Ashni drone platoons at the infantry battalion level for organic surveillance, Bhairav Battalions and Rudra All-Arms Brigades for high-tempo, multi-domain operations, as well as Divyastra Batteries and Shaktibaan Regiments focused on precision artillery targeting. Another significant reform is the “Eagle on the Arm” doctrine, which aims to train every soldier in basic drone operations.
In terms of strategic rationale, General Dwivedi has consistently stated that the Army’s drone strategy goes beyond mere procurement. It emphasizes the absorption of unmanned systems into training and combat operations, customized to different roles and terrains. To further enhance coordination in modern combat scenarios, Unified Control Centres will be established at the division level to manage the increasing number of Unmanned Aerial Systems and Counter-UAS assets effectively.
The initiative to create Baaz Battalions particularly addresses the need for ongoing battlefield awareness and swift response, crucial for operations along India’s northern and western borders and in counter-insurgency settings. As General Dwivedi’s term as Chief of the Army Staff approaches its end, this move stands out as a hallmark of his leadership, characterized by the accelerated integration of drones and counter-drone capabilities into the Army’s operational framework.
By establishing these specialized battalions, the Indian Army is transitioning from an experimental approach to unmanned systems to a core, professionally managed capability. Analysts suggest that this move will greatly enhance the Army’s capacity for real-time situational awareness, support precision strikes, and improve responsiveness in rapidly changing operational contexts.
Though the detailed numbers, locations, and timelines for the raising of the Baaz Battalions are yet to be disclosed, further information is anticipated in the upcoming weeks as the Indian Army continues its efforts in structured modernization. This development is expected to play a significant role in discussions about the evolving nature of warfare and the Indian Army’s adaptation to new technological challenges.
