Indian Army establishes first drone battalion near Pakistan border

The Indian Army has established its first dedicated drone battalion, named 'Baaz Battalion', under the 11th Corps (Vajra Corps) based in Jalandhar, Punjab, near the Pakistan border. The battalion currently operates Israeli Heron and Searcher drones along with smaller quadcopter FPV systems, and will eventually integrate American MQ-9 Predator drones.

The Army currently operates approximately 50,000 drones, with plans to double this to 100,000 within two to three years. The new battalion was created to consolidate drone operations including loitering munitions, swarm drones, and remotely piloted aircraft for both offensive strikes and border surveillance.

Simultaneously, the Indian Army is developing indigenous counter-drone systems in collaboration with private companies to defend against enemy drone threats. Some of these systems have already been deployed along the border.