New Delhi: Learning from Operation Sindoor, the Indian Army is equipping its armored regiments with dedicated drone units known as ‘Saurya Squadron’. These units are being integrated into tank formations to support surveillance, precision strikes, electronic warfare, and logistics, thereby adding drone capabilities directly into armored operations.Just a few days ago, the Army tested the Shaurya Squadron in a realistic combat environment at the Babina Field Firing Range near Jhansi, where Southern Army Commander Lieutenant General Dheeraj Seth witnessed a drone squadron in action. Led by the White Tiger Division under the Sudarshan Chakra Corps, the 13-day drill showed how drone support provided additional strength to the firepower of the armored regiments.At X, Southern Command said, “In a realistic combat environment, the Gallantry Squadron demonstrated seamless integration of real-time surveillance assets with mechanized forces, attack helicopters, swarm attacks and coordinated fires, enhancing battlefield awareness, compressing the sensor-to-shooter cycle and enabling fast, decisive battlefield response.”An army source said times of India That “5-6 Shaurya Squadrons have been activated so far.” “However, the concept of drone unit integration is still in the early stages and requires more trials for perfection. Formal installation of such units will happen after getting formal approval,” the source said.The army operates one of the world’s largest main battle tank fleets with 63 armored regiments. Each regiment is typically equipped with around 45 tanks, with a total fleet of around 4,500 tanks, including T-90s Bhishma, upgraded T-72 M1 ‘Ajeya’ and Arjun Mk1/Mk1A variants.Taking lessons from drone-centric global conflicts, including the Russia-Ukraine war, the Indian Army is gradually pushing to institutionalize UAV or drone capabilities in its forces.In the infantry, the Army last year deployed Ashni platoons, equipped with surveillance UAVs and rotating weapons for tactical ISR (intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance) and strike roles. In artillery, Divyastra batteries have been designed to integrate UAV-based targeting with conventional guns for faster and more autonomous engagement cycles.