A year after the India-Pakistan conflict in May last year, the armed forces have undergone a significant transformation, with the Army’s war-fighting architecture seeing the most visible and rapid overhaul. This includes greater reliance on drones, extended-range rockets, precision artillery and the integration of artificial intelligence.
The changes have been reinforced by the creation of specialised units for modern warfare. Among the most significant is the raising of new artillery regiments, called “Shaktibaan”, which will deploy loitering munitions and swarm drones in future conflicts. Around 25 such regiments are being pre-positioned at key locations along the western front with Pakistan and the northern frontier with China.
Supporting these are newly raised ‘Divyaastra’ batteries —equipped with long-range artillery guns, surveillance drones and anti-drone systems, backed by AI-enabled fusion centres that collate real-time data.
Together, Shaktibaan and Divyaastra represent a reimagining of offensive operations by integrating conventional firepower with unmanned systems and AI-enabled targeting.
This shift marks a move away from traditional artillery roles. The new formations are designed as integrated, multi-domain strike units capable of deep precision strikes, real-time surveillance, area defence and independent operations. They also feature built-in air defence against enemy UAVs and AI-driven systems that can recommend targeting solutions.
In January, Army Chief Upendra Dwivedi said 2026 and 2027 would be dedicated to strengthening “networking” within the force and making it more data-driven. The aim is to improve connectivity, information flow and coordination, enabling faster and better-informed decision-making.
“Networking and data-centricity” in the armed forces refer to building a digitally connected military in which data flows seamlessly across units, enabling faster decision-making, resilient communication and integrated operations. Network-centricity is expected to shape outcomes in future wars, with the side that decides faster gaining the upper hand. Data-centricity, in turn, ensures those decisions are well-informed. Achieving this speed requires rapid transmission of data, imagery and satellite inputs to commanders on the ground as well as at senior levels.
The government has also cleared a long-pending proposal to set up Integrated Battle Groups (IBGs). The first is expected to come up under the China-focused 17 Mountain Strike Corps. Under the plan, its two division-sized formations will be reorganised into four IBGs, each led by a Major General.
IBGs are designed as agile, brigade-sized combat units comprising infantry, artillery, armoured elements, engineers, signals and air defence, capable of launching operations within 48 hours.
The Army’s drone-based battle system has now been operationalised. All 385 infantry battalions have been equipped with specialised drone units called ‘Ashni’, supported by AI-based satellite imagery analysis.
The Army has also developed its own AI platform, ‘Ekam AI’, to deliver mission-grade intelligence, automation and decision support. Another system, ‘Skynet Intel’ is a drone forensics tool that can extract and analyse data from captured enemy drones, including telemetry, GPS tracks, mission logs, sensor files and even partially damaged or encrypted data.
Additionally, the Army has raised five specialised commando battalions called ‘Bhairav’, with initial deployments in critical areas under the Northern Command, including Ladakh and Srinagar. The western and eastern sectors are also expected to receive such units.
At the brigade level, firepower has been enhanced through integrated formations called ‘Rudra’, which combine infantry, mechanised units, armour, artillery, special forces and unmanned aerial systems.