Indian Army’s Combat Makeover Begins With Four Major Reforms—All-Arms Brigades, Bhairav Battalions And More To Counter China

The Indian Army has initiated a series of structural and technological reforms aimed at enhancing its combat effectiveness along the borders with China and Pakistan. Speaking at the Kargil Vijay Diwas event in Drass on Saturday, Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi outlined the steps being taken to modernise the force and adapt to emerging warfare trends, including the increased use of drones and integrated combat units.

Without expanding the size of its 11.5-lakh-strong force, the Army is reorganising existing formations to enable quicker and more coordinated responses across different terrains. The transformation centres on four key initiatives:

1. Rudra All-Arms Brigades

Several existing single-arm brigades are being converted into all-arms formations called Rudra Brigades, each combining infantry, mechanised infantry, armour, artillery, Special Forces, UAVs and combat logistics under a single command.

Unlike the current model, where brigades integrate only during combat or exercises, these tailor-made formations will remain integrated during both peace and war. Two Rudra brigades have already been operationalised.

2. Bhairav Light Commando Battalions

The Army is also raising 40–50 Bhairav battalions, compact, high-mobility commando units drawn from existing infantry formations. Lighter than Special Forces but heavily armed and drone-equipped, Bhairav units are intended for swift, cross-border operations and rapid deployment in high-risk sectors.

3. Shaktibaan Artillery Regiments with Divyastra Batteries

The Army is adding Shaktibaan artillery regiments featuring Divyastra batteries, loitering munitions and surveillance drones designed for real-time battlefield awareness and precision strikes. These will provide mobile artillery units with independent targeting and reconnaissance capabilities.

Alongside, the Army Air Defence (AAD) is being bolstered with two regiments of Akash Prime surface-to-air missiles (Rs 8,160 crore) for high-altitude areas and three regiments of the new Quick Reaction Surface to Air Missile (QRSAM) systems (Rs 36,000 crore), part of a broader plan to harden India’s air defence grid against drones and cruise missiles.

4. Drone Platoons in Every Infantry Battalion

In a move that marks a tactical shift toward unmanned warfare, all 400-odd infantry battalions will now be equipped with dedicated Drone Platoons. These teams will handle surveillance, targeting, and tactical strike missions using drones, reflecting lessons drawn from global conflicts where drone warfare has upended traditional battlefield doctrines.

General Dwivedi credited the government for giving the military “strategic autonomy” and warned Pakistan against future provocations.

“We gave them a chance for peace. They responded with cowardice. Operation Sindoor is our resolve, our message, and our response,” he said.