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Indian Army Gears Up for Drone Warfare with 20 New 'Shaktibaan' Regiments

To boost its drone warfare capability, the Indian Army is raising 15 to 20 Shaktibaan regiments with swarm drones, loitering munitions and long-range drones, which can strike targets from 5 km to 500 km. These regiments will function under the Artillery of the Indian Army. The move is part of a substantial force restructuring intended by General Upendra Diwedi, the Army Chief, to prepare the force for contemporary warfare. The new regiments will bridge the gap in striking targets between 50 km and 500 km. For ranges more than 400–500 km, the Army already fields BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles and is initiating the Pinaka multi-barrel rocket system, which has a 120-km range. To prepare the first Shaktibaan regiments, the Army will shortly issue a tender under an advance procurement process for about 850 loitering munitions accompanied by their launchers. Indian manufacturers will supply the systems under the fast-track route, with deliveries expected in the next two years. Indian defence firms, for example, Solar Defence and Aerospace, Adani Defence and RapheM will be key contenders for the project, which will be around Rs 2,000 crore. The Army has already trained over one lakh drone operators and has started equipping its formations with a wide range of drone-based weapons. Together with the Shaktibaan regiments, the Regiment of Artillery will also raise 35 to 40 Divyastra batteries within artillery divisions, each with multiple types of strike-capable drones. The Infantry is also experiencing parallel modernization by raising Ashmi platoons in every infantry battalion. Furthermore, a new Special Forces unit, Bharav, is created to improve special operations capability at the Corps headquarters level, with each operative trained to launch drones for precision strikes. Throughout Operation Sindoor, Indian forces widely used loitering munitions, for example, Sky Striker, Nagastra, Harpy and Harop, to target enemy positions and Pakistani military bases following the growth of hostilities by Pakistan. Source: ANI

Saheel Singh 12 Jan 2026

Drone Delivery Last Mile Drone Delivery

Skye Air Crosses 20 Lakh Drone Deliveries in 2025 Hyperlocal Push

Skye Air Mobility has completed more than 20 lakh deliveries in 2025, signalling the rising disposition of drones in India’s hyperlocal logistics and last-mile networks. According to the company, the milestone reflects a surge in the use of drone-led logistics in dense urban catchments, where delivery speed, predictability, and congestion management are becoming operational priorities for quick-commerce and e-commerce players. Skye Air at present works drone delivery services in markets including Gurugram in NCR and said it is working toward expansion into other metropolitan areas. The company said its scale-up efforts are focused on operational safety, delivery integrity and the creation of infrastructure to support autonomous logistics. As the company stated, its active markets handle approximately 5,500 deliveries per day, supported by its technology stack and last-mile operations. The network is designed to address time-sensitive deliveries by reducing dependence on standard last-mile delivery. Skye Air also pointed to the sustainability implications of drone-led last-mile operations, stating that each drone delivery can decrease carbon emissions compared with traditional delivery modes. In 2025, the company said it advanced work on infrastructure at scale and on partnerships to develop secure delivery handoff points for autonomous logistics networks. “Completing more than 20 lakh deliveries in 2025 is a strong validation of how rapidly drone logistics is becoming normal for hyperlocal commerce,” said the Founder & CEO of Skye Air Mobility. “We focus on safe operations, predictable delivery experience, and building the infrastructure mandatory to scale drone deliveries across cities.” “As quick-commerce and e-commerce need tighter delivery timelines, drones can reduce turnaround time while easing last-mile congestion,” he added. Skye Air will continue to expand drone delivery use cases with commerce and logistics partners while strengthening its delivery structure and operational capabilities across new micro-markets. Source: Indian Transport and Logistics News

Saheel Singh 30 Dec 2025

Emergency Response Drones Drone Partnership

ideaForge and C-DAC Collaborate to Deploy Drones for Faster Emergency Response

ideaForge Technology Limited has signed an MoU with the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing. This partnership will integrate drone technology into India’s emergency response network, refining the efficiency of Dial 112 services and evolving research in next-gen drones, semiconductor and data-driven technologies. Partnership to Enhance Emergency Response Through Drone Technology The strategic partnership will combine ideaForge’s FLYGHT platform, a ready-to-deploy Drone-as-a-Service solution, with C-DAC’s Emergency Response Support System. ERSS lets citizens access police, fire and medical assistance through a single nationwide number. With India’s average emergency response time nearing 20 minutes, deploying drones as quick first responders will improve efficiency. FLYGHT drones can be dispatched ahead of ground teams to transport instantaneous situational consciousness, accelerate threat assessment and improve both responder and citizen safety, even in traffic conditions. FLYGHT Platform: On-Demand Drone Services for Public Safety The FLYGHT platform lets government agencies and organizations access drone capabilities without owning hardware, managing software, or training specialized personnel. Its pay-per-use model makes drones more accessible. Beyond emergency response, FLYGHT drones are deployed for: · Traffic Management · Assessment of disaster in Urban areas · Inspection of assets and infrastructure · Inspection of sanitation facilities and environment · Public safety and security operations Collaborative Innovation in Deep-Tech and UAV Research The MoU also lays the basis for joint research and innovation between ideaForge and C-DAC. Key areas of collaboration comprise: · Assessment and incorporation of the indigenous VEGA processor into UAV platforms. · Expansion of VEGA-based system-on-chip architectures for flight control systems. · Research into autonomous swarm drones, AI-led analytics and trailblazing computing applications. Both organizations will do research, development and training programs, aimed at speeding up India’s deep-tech ecosystem and endorsing indigenous innovation. Leadership Insights on the Collaboration Sachin Pukale, AGM, Product Management at ideaForge, stated : “Integrating FLYGHT with ERSS will allow Automated Aerial Dispatch of drones, reaching incidents within minutes and providing critical situational consciousness to ground responders. This association demonstrates our commitment to leveraging indigenous technology to improve national security and public welfare.” The C-DAC team added: “This partnership lets us harness drone-generated data for faster, data-driven decision-making in emergencies. Together, we ensure that drone data is efficiently processed, analyzed and secured, allowing AI-led analytics, autonomous operations and instantaneous situational awareness.” Supporting India’s Atmanirbhar Bharat Vision The collaboration aligns with India’s priorities of secure digital infrastructure, data sovereignty, and indigenous technology development. By integrating aerial intelligence with safe computing frameworks, the partnership guarantees that drones are operationally effective while following to national security and public safety standards. This initiative will accelerate drone adoption in emergency response, advance India’s deep-tech capabilities and support Atmanirbhar Bharat by endorsing scalable, secure and indigenous solutions. Source: BIS Infotech

Saheel Singh 29 Dec 2025

Drone Surveillance Aircraft Training

Indian Navy to Boost Surveillance With MQ-9 Drones, C-295 Aircraft

Boosting Surveillance Capabilities The Indian Navy will improve its surveillance competencies with the induction of indigenous aircraft, said Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh Tripathi on 18 th December 2025. Speaking to ANI, Admiral Tripathi was of the opinion that the Navy is receiving 31 MQ-9 drones, with 15 for the Navy and 8 each for the Army and Air Force. He added that the Navy is also teaming up with the Coast Guard to obtain the C-295 base aircraft. Also, Admiral Tripathi said the Navy is considering acquiring 6 additional P-8I aircraft to meet its total need of 27. "We need 31 MQ-9s, 15 for the Navy and 8 each for the Army and Air Force... We are looking forward to their induction in 3 or 4 years. Parallelly, we are looking at one more indigenous case, in which we have teamed up with the Coast Guard for the base aircraft, the C-295. We want to induct 15 medium-range maritime reconnaissance aircraft, and the Coast Guard wants to induct 9 triple MA aircraft. Furthermore, we are considering inducting 6 more P-8Is, as the total requirement is 27. We have gaps in that sense... That case is also progressing,". MH-60R 'Osprey' Squadron Commissioned The Indian Navy commissioned its second MH-60R helicopter squadron, INAS 335, at INS Hansa, Goa, in the presence of Adm Dinesh K Tripathi. Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi said that the squadron will add great value to combat readiness and improve the Navy's anti-submarine warfare competence. "Today is a significant day for us and for the Navy that we have commissioned INAS 335 'Osprey', the first operational squadron. One squadron we commissioned in March 2024 in Cochin was the training squadron. This new squadron will add prodigious value to the combat readiness of our surface platforms at sea because it will improve anti-submarine warfare capability, anti-surface warfare capability, maritime domain awareness capability and will also be a deterrent to any platforms, particularly the surface and subsurface platforms of our adversary," the Navy Chief told ANI. Details on the MH-60R Platform He also praised the MH-60R helicopters and expressed enthusiasm about the new deal with the US to procure 24 extra helicopters. "MH-60R is a very potent platform. We are very content that we signed the contract for the induction of 24 MH-60R," he said. The MH-60R is an all-weather, day-and-night-capable helicopter designed for Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW), Anti-Surface Warfare, Search and Rescue, Medical Evacuation, and Vertical Replenishment. These helicopters will augment the Indian Navy's integral aviation competencies on the Western Seaboard. Source: MSN

Saheel Singh 22 Dec 2025

Drone Services Drone Agriculture

Drone Tech Contributing to National Security, Agriculture and Smart City Needs, Says Expert

Drone technology and the continuing research are contributing a lot to national security, agricultural modernization, and smart city development, said Dr. K. Krishna Naik, Department of ECE, Indian Institute of Information Technology, Design and Manufacturing, Kurnool, while delivering a lecture at a national-level workshop on ‘Drone technology on December 15, 2025. Lecturing the students, Dr Naik said that crop health analysis, water resource mapping, traffic monitoring, and border surveillance can be carried out at a lower cost and in less time using drones. He stressed that students who acquire skills in drone hardware design, embedded systems and communication protocols would find outstanding prospects in the industry. He also stressed the necessity for consciousness of safety norms, DGCA guidelines, flight permissions, and no-fly zones. “By aligning academic research with industry requirements, students can explore not only job prospects but also venture into a start-up,” he added. The week-long workshop is being organized under the aegis of the Department of Computer Science, Vikrama Simhapuri University at its Kakatur campus. University Vice Chancellor Prof. Allam Srinivasa Rao said that in the current era of rapid technological progression, the importance of drone technology is increasing day by day. Keeping in view the imminent Drone City in Kurnool, the Vice Chancellor directed the faculty of the Department of Computer Science to initiate M.Sc. programmes in ‘Drones and IoT’ to generate a skilled workforce capable of efficiently using the emerging prospects in this domain. Source: The Hindu

Saheel Singh 19 Dec 2025

Drone Services Drone Training

Madhya Pradesh Looks to Become Drone Manufacturing Hub with New Policy

The Madhya Pradesh government has introduced the MP Drone Promotion and Utilization Policy 2025, aiming to boost drone manufacturing and its application across agriculture, logistics, security and governance. The policy offers incentives, including a 40% subsidy, up to Rs. 30 crores for new investments, and a 25% subsidy on lease rents for 3 years. Additional provisions include Rs. 2 crores in R&D grants, skill development incentives under the Seekho-Kamao Yojana, and a waiver of stamp duty and registration fees for industrial land leases. Patent filing, with the government covering Rs. 5 lakhs for domestic patents and Rs. 10 lakhs for international patents, is also supported by this policy. There can be an investment of Rs. 370 crores in the sector over the next five years in Madhya Pradesh, resulting in the creation of 8,000 jobs. Madhya Pradesh aims to become a leader in the drone industry by harnessing drone technology to attain improved efficiency, cost reduction, and innovation. The state envisions using drones for precision agriculture, including crop monitoring and pesticide spraying, to increase productivity. Drones can augment surveying and mapping, while also reducing costs in logistics and infrastructure. Drones will also be used in surveillance, traffic monitoring, disaster management and law enforcement. With 90% of Indian airspace designated as a "Green Zone" for drone operations, the sector is poised for significant growth, contributing to financial development, job creation and improved service delivery in urban and rural areas. Source: PIB

Saheel Singh 13 Nov 2025

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