Drones and counter-drone systems now dominate India's recent defence acquisitions. Discuss the doctrinal and industrial implications.

On 26 October 2026, the Defence Acquisition Council approved proposals worth about Rs 2.12 lakh crore at the Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) stage. Kamikaze drones, counter-drone systems and very short-range air defence feature prominently, and about 82% is to come from Indian industry [1]. This changes how India plans to fight and tests what it can build at home.

Doctrinal Implications

• Linking sensors to weapons: the Integrated Surveillance & Strike System, Surveillance UAVs and UAS Brick Long Range [1] join the finding of a target to striking it. This moves warfare away from reliance on single large platforms.
• Cheap precision strike: Long Range Kamikaze Drones [1] allow strikes from a distance without risking pilots or using costly missiles.
• Protection from above: VSHORADS engage small aerial threats, and platform-based counter-drone systems improve tank survivability [1]. Armour must now be guarded against overhead attack.
• Layered naval defence: the Navy's Active Offboard Decoy System counters anti-ship missiles [1].
• Jointness: a Light Multi Role Helicopter shared by the Army and IAF [1] points to common platforms.
• Limits: only 15% of Army equipment is new-generation [2]. Drones add capability at the edges and must still work alongside older systems.

Industrial Implications

Opportunities

• Assured demand: 82% domestic sourcing [1] gives MSMEs and start-ups a steady flow of orders.
• Easier entry: modular, software-heavy drones suit smaller firms better than fighter or warship programmes do.

Concerns

• Import dependence: India was the second-largest arms importer in 2020–2024 [2].
• Capability gaps: PRS flags limited high-tech manufacturing, an R&D shortfall and quality concerns [2]. These are critical weaknesses for sensors, seekers and jamming electronics.
• Sourcing is not content: "82% from Indian industry" counts where orders go, not where parts are made. Imported chips can still hold up delivery.
• Slow procurement: CAG found that each case passes through 11 stages, with delays caused by multi-level approvals [3]. Drone technology may be outdated by the time it is delivered.

Drones and counter-drone systems are pushing Indian doctrine towards networked, layered and joint warfare, and they give domestic industry a rare large demand signal. To turn this into lasting capability, India should set a time limit for each stage after AoN, fund R&D in critical components, and update joint doctrine for unmanned warfare. That would make Aatmanirbhar Bharat in defence a measure of real capability, not just a sourcing figure.