International, Defence and Summits · 2 July 2026

Indian Army to raise Baaz Battalions to enhance drone surveillance capabilities

Exam-focused facts from the 2 July 2026 current affairs briefing.

Key facts

  • The Indian Army will raise specialised Baaz Battalions to strengthen intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities.
  • These battalions will be built upon existing Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) Flights to create a dedicated pool of trained personnel to manage drone systems.
  • The drone strength of the Indian Army has grown from a few hundred drones two years ago to more than 50,000 currently.
  • The Indian Army expects its drone strength to potentially double within the next two to three years based on current operational requirements.
  • The force is focusing on operational preparedness and counter-drone capabilities to detect, track, and neutralise threats in the drone battlespace.

View this story in the full daily briefing

Earlier coverage selected by topic similarity to help connect developments over time.

India raises 16th Bhairav Battalion at Belagavi

The Indian Army raised the 16th ‘Bhairav’ Battalion at the Maratha Light Infantry Regimental Centre in Belagavi. The 16th ‘Bhairav’ Battalion is also referred to as the Bhairav Light Commando Battalion.