SOURCE: AFI
The Eastern Command of the Indian Army, known for its strategic oversight of India’s northeastern and eastern borders, has taken a significant leap forward in modern warfare with its latest drone initiatives. As part of the #EasternCommand’s ongoing efforts to integrate cutting-edge technology into its operations, the Rising Sun Drone Node recently conducted a series of drills that demonstrated the lethal potential of in-house developed First Person View (FPV) drones. These exercises, which included swarm wave missions and precision delivery of explosives and grenades, highlight the Indian Army’s growing expertise in operating unmanned systems in electromagnetic (EM)-contested environments, a critical capability in today’s battlefield dynamics.
The Rising Sun Drone Node, operating under the Eastern Command, has emerged as a key center for the development and deployment of unmanned aerial systems (UAS) tailored for the Indian Army’s operational needs. The node focuses on leveraging indigenous technology to create drones that can perform high-risk missions while minimizing human exposure to danger. The recent drills, which were showcased through posts on X, underscore the node’s success in developing FPV drones capable of delivering lethal payloads with precision and efficiency.
FPV drones, equipped with real-time video feeds, allow operators to navigate and target with high accuracy, making them ideal for a range of combat scenarios. The Eastern Command’s in-house development of these drones reflects the Indian Army’s broader push towards self-reliance in defense technology, aligning with the government’s “Atma Nirbhar Bharat” (Self-Reliant India) initiative. By designing and building these systems domestically, the Army ensures that the technology is tailored to the specific challenges of its operational environment, particularly in the rugged and contested terrains of India’s eastern and northeastern regions.
The drills conducted by the Rising Sun Drone Node showcased two key capabilities of the FPV drones: swarm wave missions and precision delivery of lethal payloads. Swarm wave missions involve the coordinated operation of multiple drones to overwhelm enemy defenses, a tactic that has proven effective in modern conflicts, such as the ongoing war in Ukraine. By deploying a swarm of drones, the Eastern Command can saturate an area with unmanned systems, making it difficult for adversaries to counter them effectively. This approach is particularly useful in EM-contested zones, where electronic warfare (EW) measures like jamming and signal interference are employed to disrupt communications and navigation.
In addition to swarm operations, the FPV drones demonstrated their ability to deliver explosives and grenades with pinpoint accuracy. This precision strike capability is a game-changer for the Indian Army, enabling it to engage high-value targets—such as enemy command posts, vehicles, or fortifications—while minimizing collateral damage. The ability to operate in EM-contested environments further enhances the drones’ effectiveness, as they can function despite attempts to disrupt their control signals or navigation systems. This resilience is crucial in modern warfare, where adversaries increasingly rely on EW to neutralize unmanned systems.
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.