The Russia-Ukraine war has provided a masterclass in modern combat, exposing the strengths and limitations of contemporary military technology. One lesson stands out: drones are changing warfare, but they are not rewriting the rulebook. The Indian Army must take note.
Drones: The Evolution, Not Revolution, in Warfare
There’s no denying the power of drones on the modern battlefield. They are the cheapest precision-guided munitions, making them a game-changer in terms of cost-effectiveness. Ukraine’s mass production of drones—targeting four million annually—has demonstrated that these tiny airborne warriors can hold their own against multimillion-dollar war machines.
The impact of these swarming, first-person-view (FPV) drones has been staggering. Russia, despite its superior military, has lost over 2,900 tanks. The once-mighty Russian naval fleet has been forced to retreat from the western Black Sea, and even Moscow has found itself within striking distance of Ukrainian drone attacks. Yet, despite this, Russia continues to capture Ukrainian territory, proving that while drones are formidable, they do not singularly dictate the outcome of war.
The takeaway? Drones are an evolutionary force, not a revolutionary one. They are reshaping tactics, but they are not replacing the fundamental principles of war. The Indian Army must recognize this balance.
Also read: How drones are reshaping 2025 in unexpected ways.
The Tactical Battlefield: Where Drones Fit In
For over a century, tanks and combined arms formations have dominated warfare. From the Battle of the Somme to modern conflicts, these war machines have ruled the battlefield. While drones have injected a new dynamic, the core requirement remains unchanged: ground must be defended and captured. Until we see the rise of fully autonomous robotic armies, human-led combined arms formations will remain the backbone of military strategy.
Drones are not here to replace traditional military assets but to augment them. The real challenge is how effectively an army integrates drones into its doctrine. The Indian Army must ensure that drones become an essential component of its combined arms operations rather than a standalone novelty.
The Protection Conundrum: Tanks vs. Drones
Tanks have long been the most well-protected weapon systems on the battlefield, designed to withstand direct fire from enemy forces. However, the advent of anti-tank guided missiles (ATGMs) with top-attack capabilities, combined with FPV drone strikes, has exposed new vulnerabilities. Drones can now target weak points such as turret-hull mounts, engine compartments, exhaust systems, and even the tracks.
In response, militaries worldwide have scrambled to reinforce tanks with explosive reactive armor (ERA), metal sheet layers, and even ‘cope cages’—makeshift defenses meant to deflect drone attacks. But these passive defenses can only go so far.
The real answer lies in a combination of passive and active countermeasures. While traditional dispersion and camouflage tactics remain relevant, the best way to neutralize drone threats is through advanced electronic warfare, kinetic destruction, and ‘fighter drones’ designed to hunt enemy UAVs mid-air.
The Indian Army’s Path Forward: Creating an Anti-Drone Bubble
If the Indian Army wants to stay ahead, it must take a cue from Ukraine’s Kursk offensive, where maneuvering troops operated under the protection of an electronic and drone defense bubble. This kind of layered security system must become standard in modern warfare.
Here’s what India needs to do:
Develop an Integrated Drone Strategy – Drones must not be treated as an isolated weapon system but rather as a core element of combined arms doctrine. They should work alongside infantry, armor, and artillery to create a seamless battlefield strategy.
Invest in Counter-Drone Technology – Electronic jamming systems, laser-based weapons, and kinetic interceptors must be prioritized to neutralize enemy UAVs before they can strike.
Deploy Active Protection Systems (APS) on Tanks – While traditional armor still plays a role, Indian tanks must be equipped with Trophy or Arena-like APS to intercept incoming ATGMs and drones.
Mass-Produce Indigenous Drones – Much like Ukraine, India should focus on producing cost-effective, expendable drones at scale. Indigenous production ensures adaptability to specific battlefield requirements.
Train for Drone Warfare – It’s not enough to have drones; soldiers must be trained to use them effectively. This includes drone-piloting skills, counter-drone tactics, and electronic warfare strategies.
Also read: Can drones be hacked?
Final Thoughts: Drones as a Force Multiplier, Not a Silver Bullet
Drones are not the magic bullet that will single-handedly win wars, but they are an undeniable force multiplier. The Russia-Ukraine conflict has proven that while drones are powerful, they must be used in conjunction with traditional forces to achieve strategic success.
For the Indian Army, the choice is clear. Drones must be woven into the fabric of military operations—not as a standalone force, but as a crucial piece of the combined arms puzzle. The future of warfare isn’t about choosing between drones and tanks; it’s about making them work together seamlessly. The battlefield is evolving, and so must India’s strategy.
The question is not whether India should integrate drones. The question is: how fast can it do so?
