SOURCE: AFI
In a significant push towards modernizing its battlefield capabilities, the Indian Army is intensifying its focus on integrating cutting-edge drone technology into its operations. At the Bharat Drone Manthan 2.0, a key industry event organized by the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI) on March 11, 2025, Major General CS Mann, Additional Director General (ADG) of the Army Design Bureau (ADB), called upon industry partners to contribute to the evolving needs of the armed forces for advanced combat drones.
Highlighting the transformative role of unmanned systems in contemporary warfare, General Mann articulated the Army’s ambitious vision of equipping every soldier with an “Eagle Drone” for targeting and Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) purposes, particularly along India’s borders.
The Bharat Drone Manthan 2.0, held in New Delhi, served as a platform for bridging the gap between the Indian Army’s operational requirements and the technological capabilities of the domestic defence industry. Addressing a gathering of industry leaders, policymakers, and defence experts, Major General Mann emphasized the urgent need for indigenous solutions tailored to the unique challenges faced by the Indian Army. “The battlefield is evolving rapidly, and drones are no longer just an asset—they are becoming an extension of the soldier,” he stated. “We call upon our industry partners to collaborate with us in developing the latest combat drones that can operate in diverse terrains and meet the rigorous demands of modern warfare.”
The Army Design Bureau, tasked with driving innovation and indigenization in military technology, has been at the forefront of identifying and articulating the Army’s requirements for unmanned systems. General Mann’s address underscored the importance of public-private partnerships in achieving self-reliance under the “Atmanirbhar Bharat” initiative. He urged companies to invest in research and development, focusing on areas such as anti-jamming, anti-spoofing measures, and high-altitude performance—critical for operations in regions like the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh and the Line of Control (LoC) along the Pakistan border.
A standout highlight of General Mann’s speech was the Army’s visionary goal of equipping every soldier with an “Eagle Drone” for targeting and ISR missions. Described as a compact, soldier-portable unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), the “Eagle Drone” concept aims to empower individual soldiers with real-time situational awareness and precision targeting capabilities. “We are aiming to have an Eagle on the shoulder of every soldier deployed at the borders,” General Mann declared. “This drone will serve as their eyes in the sky, enabling them to detect, track, and engage threats with unprecedented accuracy.”
The “Eagle Drone” is envisioned as a lightweight, hand-launched UAV that can be carried in a soldier’s backpack, offering a low-cost, low-risk solution for tactical operations. Such a system would provide infantry units with enhanced ISR capabilities, allowing them to monitor enemy movements, identify targets, and coordinate strikes without relying solely on larger, centralized drone platforms. Additionally, the integration of targeting functionalities could enable these drones to guide artillery fire, direct airstrikes, or even deploy small payloads in “hunter-killer” roles, revolutionizing infantry-level combat.
The Indian Army’s focus on soldier-centric drone systems comes in response to the evolving nature of warfare, where unmanned systems have proven to be game-changers in recent conflicts, such as those in Ukraine and the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh. General Mann highlighted the specific challenges faced by Indian troops operating in high-altitude and rugged terrains, where drones must perform reliably despite reduced air density, extreme weather, and battery limitations. “Our soldiers operate in some of the most unforgiving environments in the world,” he noted. “We need drones that can meet these tough operational conditions—whether it’s the freezing heights of Siachen or the deserts of Rajasthan.”
To address these challenges, the Army Design Bureau has outlined detailed requirements in the recently released Compendium of Problem Definition Statements (CPDS) 2025, unveiled at Aero India 2025. The CPDS compiles specific problem statements and technological needs, serving as a guide for industry partners to develop solutions. General Mann also revealed plans for an experiment in autonomous drone technology scheduled for April 2025, aimed at promoting indigenous manufacturers and testing cutting-edge systems in real-world scenarios.
NOTE: AFI is a proud outsourced content creator partner of IDRW.ORG. All content created by AFI is the sole property of AFI and is protected by copyright. AFI takes copyright infringement seriously and will pursue all legal options available to protect its content.