In a significant step toward enhancing India’s readiness for next-generation warfare, the Indian Army successfully conducted a large-scale drone and counter-drone exercise, Vayu Samanvay-II, from October 28 to 29 in the Desert Sector under the aegis of the Southern Command.
According to a statement issued by the Ministry of Defence, the exercise was designed to test the Army’s preparedness for future conflicts through the integration of aerial and ground assets, as well as the fusion of multi-domain command and control systems in a realistic electronic warfare environment.
The Vayu Samanvay-II exercise demonstrated interoperability between various arms of the Indian Army, including the mechanised, artillery, and air defence units, thereby strengthening joint operational coordination in sensitive frontier regions. Troops also experimented with indigenous technologies to assess their effectiveness in real-world battlefield conditions.
“The two-day exercise focused on developing and validating doctrinal concepts for drone and counter-drone warfare,” the Ministry said, adding that the operations were conducted in the harsh desert terrain, which offered ideal conditions for testing systems under extreme weather and operational pressure.
Lieutenant General Dhiraj Seth, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Southern Command, lauded the troops for the successful conduct of the exercise, emphasising that such initiatives will accelerate the Army’s efforts toward capability development and the rapid induction of drone and counter-drone systems.
“This exercise marks a crucial milestone in the Indian Army’s journey to embrace cutting-edge technology and multi-domain operations. It reflects our vision to build a modern, agile, and technology-driven force ready to counter emerging aerial and electronic threats,” Lt Gen Seth stated.
The Ministry further noted that the Vayu Samanvay-II exercise is part of the Army’s broader strategy to modernise its operational doctrine and develop comprehensive countermeasures against drone-based warfare, which has become a defining element of modern conflicts globally.
This exercise comes amid India’s continued focus on enhancing interoperability between the Army, Air Force, and Navy in upcoming multi-domain exercises such as Trishul, set to take place from November 3 to 13.
By integrating indigenous drone technology, electronic warfare systems, and command networks, Vayu Samanvay-II reaffirmed India’s commitment to building a self-reliant and future-ready defence force capable of meeting the challenges of 21st-century warfare.
