India to enhance drone power as China, Pakistan threats escalate
By : Sandhya
Amid escalating threats from Pakistan and China, the Indian government has approved emergency procurement of Remotely Piloted Aerial Vehicles (RPAVs) worth ₹2,000 crore to bolster defence preparedness. The Defence Ministry announced on Thursday that these funds will be used to equip the Indian Army with cutting-edge technologies, including Integrated Drone Detection and Interdiction Systems (IDDIS), aimed at detecting and neutralising enemy drones.
This move follows Pakistan’s recent drone attacks on Indian military and civilian targets after India's Operation Sindoor — a precision strike against terror infrastructure in retaliation for the Pahalgam terror attack.
India's increased focus on drone warfare is in response to China’s expanding drone fleet, reportedly nearing one million, and Pakistan’s growing arsenal, estimated at over 50,000 drones sourced from China and Turkey. These platforms can be deployed for both surveillance and offensive operations.
To counter these threats, India is investing in a range of unmanned technologies, including RPAVs, combat drones, and loitering munitions. These will enhance surveillance, reconnaissance, and precision strike capabilities along vulnerable border regions.
In parallel, the government is encouraging domestic drone manufacturing to reduce dependency on foreign suppliers. Several Indian private defence firms are actively developing indigenous drone systems for both military and civilian applications.
With regional tensions on the rise, this strategic push toward advanced drone technology underscores India’s commitment to strengthening national security and modernising its defence forces.