Amid increasing aerial intrusions along India’s borders, Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi on Tuesday emphasised that India has asked Pakistan to rein in its drone activities, warning that such actions are unacceptable. Speaking at his annual media briefing ahead of the 78th Army Day on January 15, Dwivedi outlined a range of measures the Indian Army is undertaking to enhance combat effectiveness, modernise capabilities, and bolster multi-domain operational readiness. He also revealed plans to create a rocket-cum-missile force, reflecting the army’s focus on specialised, precision-oriented weapon systems capable of responding to threats across different ranges.

Drone Intrusions and Pakistan Warning

Dwivedi’s remarks came in the context of multiple small drone sightings in Jammu earlier this week. According to the army chief, these drones were defensive in nature, deployed by Pakistan to assess India’s readiness and identify potential gaps in deployment. “It cannot be ruled out that they wanted to see if there are any gaps from where they could push terrorists in. But there are no gaps,” he said.

The Indian Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) spoke to his Pakistani counterpart on Tuesday, reiterating that such drone activity is unacceptable and must cease. Hours after the conversation, drones were reportedly sighted at two separate locations in Jammu, triggering Indian Army fire. A suspected Pakistani drone was also spotted in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, on Monday night. Dwivedi noted that drone activity typically increases around Army Day (January 15) and Republic Day (January 26), reflecting Pakistan’s concern over potential Indian military responses.

Rocket-Cum-Missile Force: Enhancing Combat Effectiveness

To bolster India’s strategic capabilities, Dwivedi announced plans to create a rocket-cum-missile force, drawing lessons from the specialised forces already established by China and Pakistan. “It is the need of the hour that we raise such a force. Today, rockets and missiles complement each other, and the faster we organise it, the better it will be for our combat effectiveness,” he said.

This new force would be built around a range of weapons systems, including long-range Pinaka rockets capable of reaching 120 km, new rockets with ranges between 150 and 400 km, Pralay missiles, BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles, and other government-approved systems. According to Dwivedi, such a force would provide India with multi-tiered strike capability, enhancing operational flexibility and deterrence in a rapidly evolving security environment.

Force Restructuring and Organisational Modernisation

Dwivedi highlighted that force restructuring is a central pillar of the army’s decade-long transformation. The process focuses on reviewing organisational structures to enhance multi-domain combat potency while maintaining an optimal “tooth-to-tail” ratio — the balance between combat soldiers and supporting personnel.

Significant changes include the creation of Rudra brigades for high-tempo multi-domain operations, Bhairav battalionsdesigned for agility and disruptive effect, Shaktibaan regiments, and Divyastra artillery batteries utilising unmanned aerial systems (UAS) and counter-UAS capabilities for real-time targeting. The army is also establishing Ashni platoonsand other specialised units to enhance precision, surveillance, and strike options at the tactical level.

In the last 15 months, the government has approved 31 sanction letters to bring about organisational reforms, including the raising of Integrated Battle Groups (IBGs) and aviation brigades. The IBG model is being adopted by the 17 Mountain Strike Corps, which is tasked with countering threats along India’s eastern front with China. Dwivedi stressed that this model is essential to ensure the army is lean, agile, and capable of rapid deployment in response to emerging threats.

Modernisation and Technology Integration

Modernisation remains a key priority for the Indian Army. Dwivedi outlined several focus areas, including mobility and protection, network-enabled operations, enhanced communications, terrain-specific electronic warfare systems, and the induction of next-generation munitions. The expansion of UAS and counter-UAS capabilities is particularly significant, reflecting the growing role of unmanned systems in surveillance, targeting, and force application.

Dwivedi highlighted the lessons learned from Operation Sindoor, the four-day military confrontation with Pakistan in May 2025, which provided a real-world demonstration of coordinated joint service planning and execution. “Operation Sindoor helped reset strategic assumptions as the Indian military struck deep inside Pakistan to dismantle terror infrastructure. The operation remains ongoing, and future misadventures will be resolutely responded to,” he said.

Theatre Commands and Jointness

The army chief also discussed the progress towards theatre commands, a long-awaited reform aimed at ensuring optimal use of India’s military resources. Theatre commands involve placing specific units of the army, navy, and air force under a single theatre commander, who may belong to any of the three services depending on operational requirements. This model is intended to enhance jointness, coordination, and multi-domain synchronisation, a critical requirement for modern conflicts.

Dwivedi noted that Operation Sindoor’s lessons are being incorporated into the theatreisation model, ensuring that future operations benefit from integrated planning, intelligence sharing, and precision targeting. The army is also institutionalising drone operations, including surveillance, loitering munitions, anti-radiation, and jamming capabilities, with skilled operators being trained for all terrains, including desert and high-altitude regions.

Counterterrorism Achievements in Jammu & Kashmir

Dwivedi highlighted the security improvements in Jammu and Kashmir over the past year. He reported that 31 terrorists were eliminated in 2025, with approximately 65% originating from Pakistan, including the three perpetrators of the Pahalgam attack neutralised in Operation Mahadev. He noted that active local terrorists are now in single digits, and terrorist recruitment has fallen to almost zero, with only two recruits in 2025.

Positive indicators of change include robust development activities, the revival of tourism, and the peaceful conduct of the Sri Amarnath Yatra, which saw over four lakh pilgrims, exceeding the five-year average. Dwivedi described this shift as a transition from terrorism to tourism, reflecting the government’s sustained efforts to stabilise the region and improve local livelihoods.

Conclusion

General Upendra Dwivedi’s briefing painted a comprehensive picture of India’s strategic posture, modernisation efforts, and operational preparedness. By combining force restructuring, advanced missile capabilities, drone integration, and theatre command planning, the Indian Army is positioning itself to address both conventional and asymmetric threats effectively.

The emphasis on reining in Pakistan’s drone activities, creating a rocket-cum-missile force, and implementing lessons from past operations reflects a proactive and calibrated approach to national security. At the same time, the positive developments in Jammu and Kashmir underscore the army’s dual role in counterterrorism and nation-building.

As India marks its 78th Army Day, the messaging from the army chief is clear: the Indian Army remains capable, vigilant, and prepared, while continuing to adapt to emerging threats and embrace technological and organisational innovations for future combat effectiveness.

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