Drone News

Indian Army to Pair Every Main Battle Tank with Drones in Landmark 2028 Initiative

Posted by

Pradipta V Mukherjee

September 13, 2025

On September 13, 2025

The Indian Army is getting ready to incorporate drones into each Main Battle Tank (MBT) as part of a significant program that will start in 2028, marking a revolutionary step toward modernizing its armored corps.

According to the plan, more than 3,000 tanks—including the domestic Arjun fleets and the T-90 Bhishma—will be matched with specialized drones made for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions. This action demonstrates the military’s dedication to using cutting-edge technology for battlefield supremacy and marks a significant advancement in India’s armored warfare doctrine.

Using the drone as the “hunter” and the tank as the “killer,” the idea is to form cooperative “hunter-killer” teams. Tank crews will receive real-time intelligence streams from the drones, which will give them an aerial perspective of the battlefield.

Crews will be able to locate, follow, and interact with enemy targets much more safely and accurately with this capability. Tanks will also be able to detect ambushes, hostile movements, and camouflaged positions well beyond their direct line of sight thanks to these drones’ electro-optical and thermal imaging sensors.

Certain drone configurations may be equipped with micromunitions in addition to reconnaissance capabilities. As a result, tanks can now neutralize infantry, anti-tank units, and even light armored vehicles from a distance.

This multi-layered capability is intended to combat the escalating threat posed by loitering munitions and advanced anti-tank guided missiles (ATGMs), which have become more deadly in recent international conflicts. The Army hopes to greatly increase the survivability and combat effectiveness of its formations by empowering crews to identify and eliminate these threats before they materialize.

Compact Vertical Take-Off and Landing (VTOL) drones that can launch and recover straight from tanks are already undergoing field trials.

The focus is on making sure these systems are resistant to electronic warfare tactics like jamming, easy for crews to operate with little extra training, and durable enough to survive battlefield conditions.

AI-powered automatic target recognition and autonomous navigation in GPS-denied environments are examples of advanced features currently in development. These would guarantee drone dependability in hotly contested combat zones.

This project will represent a paradigm shift in ground warfare for India if it is carried out successfully. In addition to enhancing its capacity to defeat enemies such as China’s Type 99 series and Pakistan’s Al-Khalid tanks, the Indian Army will establish a standard for how contemporary armies respond to changing threats by combining conventional armored firepower with aerial reconnaissance and strike capabilities.

By improving mobility, accuracy, and survivability on the battlefield, the “tank-drone team” model has the potential to completely transform future armored warfare.

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.