The Indian Army is the largest fraction of India’s armed forces and has been protecting the nation since 1895. On January 15, 1949, Field Marshal Kodandera M. Cariappa became the first Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army. He had taken over control from General Sir Francis Butcher, ending British rule in India. Much like the 4th of July, Veteran’s Day, and Memorial Day for Americans, January 15th, Army Day, is celebrated each year throughout India. The biggest of the celebrations are held in India’s capital, New Delhi, with theme based parades and military demonstrations. The themes reflect the forever progressing goals of the Army. In 2020, the theme was Digital Transformation of Defense, and it seems that this year’s theme will be continuing the idea of embracing the best technology has to offer for military defenses.

One of the main demonstrations the Army put on for spectators on January 15, 2021, was their growing use of military grade drones. The display featured a swarm of 75 drones carrying out Kamikaze style attacks on designated targets. The show also included “mother drones” that could transport smaller drones into a battle zone for swarm deployment. Only a small swarm was featured on Army Day, but according to Indian Army sources, they plan to have a working swarm that could support up to 1,000 drones in the coming months. The Indian Army is calling this tactic disruption technology, a system that can defend India from enemies within a 50km range.

For those watching the drone demonstration, many were left in awe of the precision and destruction the small machines could inflict, which is exactly why the Indian Army is investing in drone technology. After witnessing how Azerbaijan spectacularly defeated Armenia simply with the use of inexpensive drones, the Indian Army knew that they needed their own drones to maintain safe borders. For the majority of India’s history, its military forces have relied on numbers to make up its strength. But as the conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh showed the world, numbers cannot hold up to the force of drone technology.

Over the last few years, India has slowly been increasing their military drone capabilities. They started with a dismal supply of short range surveillance drones. In 2020, the Indian Army purchased 600 high altitude SpyLite mini surveillance drones and began looking into a squad of long range Heron drones developed by Israel. India has also been in talks with the United States about obtaining several MQ-9 Reapers, one of the strongest military drones available. Earlier this year, India awarded Mumbai based aerospace firm ideaForge a $20 million contract to develop a drone to patrol its borders.

ideaForge beat out several competitors with their SWITCH VTOL (Vertical Take Off Landing) tactical drone. In a statement released by the company, “ideaForge has been awarded this contract after it emerged as the only vendor that qualified the operational requirements in an evaluation done in real-world conditions, for a fast-track procurement.” As tensions along India’s border with China grow, they are aggressively pursuing a tactical aerial advantage. SWITCH weighs 6.5kg, has a 2 hour flight time, and an operational altitude of 1,000-4,000 meters. The HALE (High Altitude Long Endurance) capabilities of SWITCH make it an ideal solution for the Ladakh region where India and China had an active standoff last year.

While the majority of the drones displayed at this year’s Army Day were for defensive purposes, the Army also showed how they plan to use drones for humanitarian missions as well. In light of quarantine and social distancing measures placed on global communities because of COVID-19, drones have become a means of survival for some. The Army displayed how drones would be used to supply troops with reinforcements and citizens with medical and PPE (Personal Protection Equipment). The main goal of Army Day is to celebrate the achievements of India’s Army and honor the sacrifices of the many who serve the country. India has proven over the last few years that the best way to carry out these goals is to embrace technology, like drones, to give its soldiers the best chance at protecting the nation.

Previous Drone News: