Operation Sindoor was a show of the power of drones in the future of warfare, which is why the Indian Army is steadily increasing its reliance on drones. From surveillance and reconnaissance to precision strikes and logistics support in difficult terrains, the army considers drones to be part of a broader modernization drive aimed at preparing for future warfare.

In a major push towards modernising India’s border security, the Border Security Force (BSF) has inaugurated a dedicated ‘School of Drone Warfare’ to train its troops in operating and countering unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The move comes after lessons learnt from Operation Sindoor, where drones played a crucial role.

BSF’s latest move follows the Indian Army which has not only inducted a variety of indigenous and imported unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) but is also investing in swarms, loitering munitions, and counter-drone systems to strengthen its tactical and strategic capabilities.

Why has BSF set up a Drone Warfare School?

With drone-based threats rising along India’s borders, especially from Pakistan where Chinese-made UAVs are routinely used to smuggle arms and narcotics, the BSF sees drone training as vital for future warfare. A few weeks back, it was reported that the BSF is working to establish a maiden “drone squadron” for deployment along the India-Pakistan border.

The maiden squadron will be given a range of small and large surveillance, reconnaissance and attack drones and will be based in specific border outposts (BoPs) along the over 2,000-km-long India-Pakistan border.

BSF Drone School: What will the school train commandos in?

Located at the BSF Officers’ Training Academy in Tekanpur, the institute will train “drone commandos” and “drone warriors” through five specialised courses. These include UAV operations, anti-drone warfare, surveillance, intelligence gathering, and payload integration.

The school also features simulators, live flying zones, night operation facilities, radio frequency jammers, kinetic interceptors, and AI-powered tools for modern combat.

How is global warfare influencing India’s strategy?

BSF Director General Daljit Singh Chawdhary, who inaugurated the institute, cited the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war as a prime example of how drones are reshaping battlefields. He also stressed the importance of Artificial Intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and first-person view (FPV) technology in enhancing the tactical use of drones, including kamikaze UAVs for decisive outcomes.

What role did drones play in Operation Sindoor?

Operation Sindoor, conducted against Pakistan, was a turning point for India’s security forces in understanding drone warfare. During the operation, drones were used for both offensive strikes and intelligence gathering. Eighteen BSF personnel were decorated for bravery during the mission on Independence Day this year.

Why does this matter for India’s border security?

The BSF, with a strength of 2.65 lakh personnel, guards India’s 2,290-km-long International Border with Pakistan and the 4,096-km stretch with Bangladesh. It also assists the Army along the Line of Control (LoC). The force faces near-daily challenges from Pakistani drones dropping drugs, weapons, and ammunition into Indian territory.

Training specialised units in drone warfare is expected to significantly strengthen India’s defences against these threats.