Under ‘Eagle On Every Arm’ Mantra, Army Accelerates Combat-Ready Drone Push; Tested During Exercise Trishul

Earlier in September 2025, the Indian Army had introduced the concept of “Eagle in the Arm”, a new doctrine that envisions every soldier equipped and trained to operate drones specific to their mission, whether it is surveillance, combat, logistics, or medical evacuation. Now, the Army has taken a progressive step in that direction.

In a major stride toward self-reliance and battlefield modernisation, the Indian Army’s Southern Command has launched a decisive push to indigenise drone warfare capabilities, aligning with the national vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat.

Under the guiding mantra “Eagle on Every Arm,” the Command has built a comprehensive in-house ecosystem for the design, development, and large-scale production of combat-ready Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS), turning the self-reliance agenda into tangible battlefield strength.

“Just like every soldier carries a weapon, every soldier must be able to operate a drone,” a senior Army official had said, describing it as a defining step toward a modern, technology-driven force.

How are these drone hubs boosting Southern Command’s capabilities?

Harnessing the technical excellence of the Corps of Electronics and Mechanical Engineers (EME) and in collaboration with India’s MSME sector, the Southern Command’s Drone Hubs are developing a new generation of UAS platforms tailored for multiple military roles — including Surveillance, Precision Strike, and Electronic Warfare.

These hubs are serving as the Army’s innovation engines, accelerating rapid prototyping, indigenous component integration, and combat system deployment, marking a key leap toward operational autonomy in aerial systems.

Battle-tested and combat-ready: Lessons from Exercise Trishul

The newly developed drones underwent extensive field validation during Exercise Trishul, where they demonstrated exceptional precision, endurance, and adaptability in contested environments. Army officials said the systems successfully executed reconnaissance and strike missions under simulated combat conditions, proving their operational reliability and real-time mission flexibility.

Their success marks a defining milestone in embedding indigenous drone technology directly into the Army’s operational frameworks.

By merging innovation, industry collaboration, and tactical deployment, the Indian Army’s Southern Command is positioning itself at the forefront of next-generation warfare. This initiative underscores the Army’s broader shift toward a Tech-Enabled, Future-Ready Force, capable of maintaining battlefield dominance across multiple domains.