Drone News

Army Chief Stresses Bigger Role for Drones in Future Wars!

Posted by

Pradipta V Mukherjee

September 8, 2025

On September 8, 2025

Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi stressed that theaterisation, or the integration of the Army, Air Force, and Navy under a unified command structure, is an unavoidable step in India’s defence journey. The process is regarded as essential for guaranteeing improved coordination, operational effectiveness, and joint readiness across all branches of the armed forces, even though the precise implementation schedule is still unknown.

The goal of theaterization is to make managing the various agencies that work with the armed forces less complicated. These include border security forces, cyber and space defence organizations, civil defence, and aviation authorities, as well as state and central administrations. Uniting these diverse players under a central command will allow for quicker decisions, a streamlined chain of command, and enhanced execution during joint operations. The effectiveness of unified commands in addressing contemporary, multifaceted threats is reflected in this model, which is similar to international practices.

Within India’s defense community, there has been a lively discussion about theaterization, with differing viewpoints from various services. Nonetheless, there is still general agreement that integration is necessary for the country to maintain its strategic flexibility and to improve its long-term offensive and defensive capabilities.

General Dwivedi emphasized the importance of policy measures that support technological advancement in the defense sector in addition to organizational reforms. One of the main factors facilitating the growth of domestic manufacturing is the recent decrease in the Goods and Services Tax (GST) on a variety of defense equipment. It is anticipated that this action will increase defense corridor investments, improve the financial viability of startups and MSMEs, and quicken the rate of R&D.

Given the growing significance of drones in contemporary warfare, the GST rate reduction on Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) is especially noteworthy. UAVs are now essential to precision strikes, reconnaissance, and counter-drone tactics, and their use is no longer restricted to surveillance. In addition to making drones more affordable for the military, the lower taxes will boost domestic manufacturing and lessen reliance on pricey imports.

Experts concur that UAVs, drones, and counter-UAV systems will play a key role in future conflicts. Their contribution has already been seen in recent international conflicts where the balance of power has been altered by drone swarms, kamikaze drones, and sophisticated reconnaissance platforms. India is on the right track to developing a robust, technologically advanced defense ecosystem thanks to its emphasis on enhancing these capabilities through domestic innovation.

The Army Chief added that despite successful operations, difficulties still exist along the Line of Control (LoC). Infiltration attempts continue to be a problem, underscoring the necessity of constant watchfulness, sophisticated surveillance systems, and state-of-the-art technology to assist troops stationed in vulnerable regions. Drones and AI-enabled monitoring tools are anticipated to be vital resources in this regard, providing soldiers on the ground with real-time situational awareness and lowering risks.

Three main pillars are anticipated to support India’s defense modernization in the future: ongoing investment in research and training, technological advancement with drones at the forefront, and organizational reforms like theaterization. How well the nation adjusts to the quickly changing nature of warfare will depend on these factors taken together.

Pradipta V Mukherjee

CEO, Mavdrones

Pradipta V Mukherjee is the visionary CEO of Mavdrones & Drone Pathshala, driving innovation and growth in the drone industry. With a passion for advanced technology, he leads the company's strategic direction, ensuring Mavdrones stays at the forefront of drone solutions. Under his leadership, Mavdrones has achieved remarkable success, including winning the 'Best Innovation and Technology in Drone Industry' award from ASSOCHAM. Pradipta is committed to revolutionizing the industry through advanced UAV technology, fostering a culture of excellence and forward-thinking within the organization.