In a strategic leap toward embracing next-generation warfare, the Indian Army conducted ‘VAYU SAMANVAY-II’, a major drone and counter-drone exercise from 28–29 October 2025 in the forward desert areas under the Southern Command. This large-scale drill marked a significant advancement in India’s operational preparedness against aerial threats, reflecting the Army’s evolving emphasis on technology-driven, multi-domain combat.
Purpose and Significance of the Exercise
- VAYU SAMANVAY-II aimed to validate doctrinal principles surrounding the deployment and neutralization of drones in combat.
- The Indian Army tested its capabilities in a realistic, electronically contested environment, closely simulating future battlefields where electronic warfare, aerial surveillance, and AI-enabled command and control will play a decisive role.
Why It Matters
- Drones are now frontline tools in modern warfare — for surveillance, targeting, and delivery of payloads.
- Counter-drone technologies are equally critical to neutralize threats posed by hostile UAVs, especially in border and desert regions.
- Exercises like this allow India to rapidly adapt to the evolving threat landscape, while integrating indigenous technologies under live conditions.
