The Indian Army is accelerating its transformation into a technology-driven fighting force, integrating dedicated drone units – Shaurya Squadrons – into its powerful armoured regiments, a move shaped heavily by lessons from Operation Sindoor and evolving global battlefields. India’s retaliatory action against terror hub in Pakistan and PoK proved how significant a push can UAVs provide in modern times.
After the rollout of its ‘Ashni’ infantry drone platoons, the Indian Army has now activated Shaurya Squadrons, dedicated drone sub-units embedded within armoured regiments, to give tank commanders with real-time surveillance and precision-strike capability. The move marks a decisive shift in how India plans to fight future wars, where drones are becoming central to combat strategy.
“As part of Exercise Amogh Jwala, the Indian Army exercised Shaurya Squadron, a modern tactical entity pioneered by the White Tiger Division under the aegis of Sudarshan Chakra Corps,” Army’s Southern Command shared on social media.
Operation Sindoor: The turning point for drone warfare
Operation Sindoor has emerged as a key inflection point in the Army’s operational thinking, underlining the decisive role of unmanned systems in modern warfare. The conflict demonstrated how drones can enable real-time battlefield awareness, compress decision-making timelines, and deliver precision strikes without exposing troops.
These lessons have now translated into structural changes, with the Army moving to embed drone capabilities directly within frontline combat units rather than treating them as standalone assets.
Shaurya Squadrons: Drones embedded with tanks
At the heart of this transformation are the Shaurya Squadrons, specialised drone units being integrated into armoured regiments, which form the backbone of India’s offensive military power. These squadrons are designed to support tank formations by providing enhanced surveillance, precision targeting, electronic warfare capabilities, and even logistical support in high-intensity combat scenarios.
By pairing drones with tanks, the Army is effectively extending the eyes, ears, and reach of its armoured columns, making them more lethal and situationally aware.
Battlefield trials show a glimpse of the future
The concept was recently tested in a high-intensity, 13-day exercise at the Babina Field Firing Ranges near Jhansi, where a Shaurya Squadron operated in a realistic combat environment. The drill, conducted under the White Tiger Division of the Sudarshan Chakra Corps, was witnessed by Southern Army Commander Lt Gen Dhiraj Seth.
According to the Army, the exercise demonstrated seamless integration between drone units and mechanised forces, including coordination with attack helicopters and swarm drone strikes. The result was a significant boost in battlefield awareness and a faster “sensor-to-shooter” cycle.
https://twitter.com/IaSouthern/status/2035734311249539162
“The exercise validated the integrated employment of Attack Helicopters, Fighter Aircraft, drones, Counter-Drone systems, #ISR and EW capabilities to enhance battlefield awareness, shorten decision cycles and deliver decisive combat effect in a multi-domain operational environment,” the Army noted.
Still evolving, but rapidly expanding
Sources indicate that five to six Shaurya Squadrons have already been activated, though the concept is still evolving and undergoing further trials before formal institutionalisation. The Army is taking a calibrated approach, refining tactics and integration models before scaling up across its vast armoured fleet.
India operates one of the world’s largest tank forces, with around 4,500 tanks across 63 armoured regiments, including T-90 Bhishma, T-72 Ajeya, and Arjun variants, the Times of India reported. The integration of drones into these formations represents a fundamental shift from traditional heavy armour to networked, intelligent combat systems.
Part of a larger drone push across the Army
The Shaurya Squadrons are part of a broader effort to mainstream drone warfare across all arms of the Army. In recent developments, infantry units have seen the induction of Ashni platoons, equipped with surveillance drones and loitering munitions, while artillery formations now deploy Divyastra batteries to integrate UAV-based targeting with conventional firepower.
Together, these initiatives point to a future where drones are deeply embedded across combat roles, from reconnaissance to strike.
Meanwhile, the induction of Shaurya Squadrons marks the beginning of a new phase in India’s military evolution, one where technology, speed, and precision define combat effectiveness.