Emerging Role of Drones in Indian Defence System: From Surveillance to Strategic Autonomy

Abstract

The rapid evolution of unmanned aerial vehicles or UAVs commonly known as drones, has transformed the global defence and security landscape. From surveillance and reconnaissance to precision strike and logistics, drones are emerging as indispensable assets in India’s military strategy. The Indian armed forces have progressively integrated UAVs for border monitoring, counter-insurgency operations, maritime patrol, and humanitarian missions. India has responded with a dual approach like procuring advanced foreign platforms, such as long-endurance UAVs, to bridge immediate capability gaps, while simultaneously fostering indigenous innovation through initiatives like Atmanirbhar Bharat and public–private partnerships. Recent demonstrations at defence expos, including indigenous counter-drone systems and medium-altitude long-endurance prototypes, highlight the growing maturity of the domestic ecosystem. However, challenges remain in areas such as secure communications, artificial intelligence–driven autonomy, and regulatory harmonization. This article examines the multifaceted role of drones in India’s defence strategy, evaluates counter-drone policy frameworks, and identifies critical gaps that must be addressed to achieve operational readiness and strategic autonomy in the evolving domain of unmanned warfare.