Indian Army Validates Drone Integration in Large Tactical Exercise

Recent military exercises in Asia have underscored the growing integration and importance of drone technology in modern warfare. The Singapore Armed Forces demonstrated this integration during Exercise Forging Sabre in Idaho, where F-16 pilots relied on drones like the Heron 1 to compensate for sensor limitations and enhance battlefield awareness in adverse conditions. Similarly, the Indian Army conducted Exercise Siyom Prahar from September 8 to 10, 2025, focusing on validating drone employment in tactical operations under realistic battlefield conditions. This exercise emphasized developing new tactics and procedures to fuse drone intelligence with conventional firepower, enhancing rapid decision-making, joint targeting, and adaptability between traditional forces and emerging technologies. Across these exercises, drones were utilized for persistent surveillance, reconnaissance, target acquisition, and precision strikes, showcasing their role as force multipliers and critical assets for future combat readiness. Both militaries reaffirmed their commitment to leveraging unmanned aerial systems to maintain operational superiority and adapt to evolving warfare challenges.