FPV Platoons in Infantry Battalions

The Indian Army is planning to raise a First Person View (FPV) drones platoon within each infantry battalion in adapting to modern warfare; to upgrade tactical combat capabilities of reconnaissance, surveillance and precision strikes

- By LT GENERAL P.C. KATOCH (RETD)

THE RECENT ARTICLE 'REIGN of Drones' in these columns covered how Ukraine's Operation 'Spider's Web' demonstrated rapid advances in technology and innovative thinking; highlighting how low-cost, improvised unmanned drones can be employed with strategic impact deep behind enemy lines – bringing a strategic dimension to drone warfare. The highly effective use of drones in Operation 'Sindoor' was also covered, as well as India's plans to spend up to $470 million on UAVs in next 12-24 months (three times pre-conflict levels), need to develop AI-driven advanced robots and drones, and be fully geared to combat drone threats from across the borders and from within India.

It has now also emerged that on the night of July 1-2, 2025, Ukraine carried out a precision attack on components of the Russian 'Nebo-M' radar system in the Crimean Peninsula, using heavy bomber drones (each heavy drone is armed with three bombs) launched from Unmanned Surface Vessels (USVs), or drone carrying boats. Ukraine introduced sea drones early in the ongoing conflict to counter Russian dominance of the Black Sea Fleet, and has continued to improvise and innovate since, releasing First Person View (FPV) drones from these drone boats in March 2025 to hit Russian air defence systems and surface-to-air missiles.