‘Eagle on Every Arm’: Southern Command leads drone revolution in battlefield readiness

In a major stride towards operational self-reliance and technological transformation, the Indian Army’s Southern Command has developed a robust in-house ecosystem for the design, development, and large-scale production of combat-ready drones.

Guided by the mantra “Eagle on Every Arm,” the initiative embodies the Army’s vision of translating indigenous innovation into battlefield capability.

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Harnessing the technical expertise of the Corps of Electronics and Mechanical Engineers (EME) and leveraging close collaboration with India’s Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), the Command has established specialised Drone Hubs that are pioneering a new generation of Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS).

These platforms are optimised for surveillance, precision strike, and electronic warfare roles, significantly enhancing the Army’s multi-domain operational readiness.

The indigenously developed drones were successfully field-tested during the ongoing Exercise Trishul, where they demonstrated exceptional precision, endurance, and mission adaptability under contested combat conditions.

Their successful validation marks a significant milestone in embedding indigenous technologies directly into operational frameworks and accelerating the transition towards a self-reliant defence ecosystem.

At the forefront of this transformation, Southern Command continues to integrate innovation, industry collaboration, and tactical application to build a tech-enabled, future-ready force.

The initiative underscores the Army’s commitment to Atmanirbharta and its vision of creating a digitally empowered, agile, and dominant force capable of operating across the full spectrum of conflict.

ENDS