Army begins Rs 20,000 crore upgrade, bets on indigenous drones

Defence sources told India Today that the modernisation drive marked a shift towards network-centric, drone-led warfare aimed at improving surveillance, precision-strike capabilities and operational readiness along India's borders, particularly in high-altitude regions such as Ladakh and Arunachal Pradesh.Most of the equipment will be procured from domestic defence companies under the “Aatmanirbhar Bharat” initiative (Representational Photo: Reuters)The Indian Army is set for one of its biggest technological upgrades in a decade, with the Defence Ministry signing contracts worth more than Rs 20,000 crore for indigenous loitering munitions, surveillance systems and high-altitude unmanned aerial platforms.Defence sources told India Today that the modernisation drive marked a shift towards network-centric, drone-led warfare. It is aimed at strengthening surveillance, precision-strike capabilities and operational readiness along India’s borders, particularly in high-altitude regions such as Ladakh and Arunachal Pradesh.Most of the equipment will be procured from domestic defence companies under the “Aatmanirbhar Bharat” initiative and the “Buy Indian” category.The planned acquisitions include advanced kamikaze drones capable of hovering over an area for extended periods before accurately striking a target. The Army will also procure artificial intelligence-enabled ground and aerial sensors for real-time surveillance and target acquisition. The package includes long-endurance unmanned platforms designed to operate in thin air and extreme cold at altitudes above 15,000 feet.According to Defence Ministry officials, the Army is focusing on systems that can operate effectively in mountainous terrain, require minimal logistical support and integrate seamlessly into a common battlefield network. “The future battlefield will be dominated by sensors and unmanned systems,” a senior Army official said.“This procurement moves us from platform-centric to network-centric operations, in which every soldier, drone and weapon system is connected in real time,” the official added.The loitering munitions will enable frontline units to strike hostile positions without directly exposing soldiers to danger. The proposed surveillance grid, meanwhile, will provide commanders with a real-time picture of the battlefield, allowing them to identify and engage targets more quickly.The systems are expected to be inducted in phases over the next 24 to 36 months. Field trials are already underway for several platforms, according to officials.With tensions continuing along India’s northern borders, the Rs 20,000 crore programme signals that the Army is prioritising speed, surveillance and precision over mass deployment.- EndsPublished By: Aprameya RaoPublished On: Aug 17, 2026 22:54 IST