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Time of India
2 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Rudra and Bhairav — How India is getting ready for Pak-China military threat
Rudra and Bhairav — How India is getting ready for Pak-China military threat Rajat Pandit TNN Updated: Jul 28, 2025, 19:22 IST IST The Army's transformation blueprint includes creation of all-arms Rudra brigades, agile Bhairav light commando battalions, Shaktibaan artillery regiments, and dedicated drone platoons In the face of the growing collusive military threat from China and Pakistan — a concern underscored during Operation Sindoor in May — the Indian Army is now forming new Rudra all-arms brigades and Bhairav light commando battalions to enhance its offensive capabilities and ensure quicker response along the borders. The 11.5-lakh strong Army is also going in for Shaktibaan artillery regiments, with special Divyastra surveillance and loitering munitions batteries.
Time of India
4 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Facing two fronts, Indian Army drops the old playbook and gets agile with missiles, drones and commandos
India's Army is taking major steps to strengthen its combat readiness along its northern and western borders. With threats from China and Pakistan no longer seen in isolation, the military has decided to restructure key units for faster and more integrated response, as reported by TOI's Rajat Pandit. On Kargil Vijay Diwas in Drass, Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi announced a set of changes aimed at making the Army "a future-ready force." The announcement comes weeks after India responded militarily to cross-border hostilities from Pakistan in May. Explore courses from Top Institutes in Please select course: Select a Course Category healthcare Operations Management CXO Data Science Data Science Digital Marketing MCA Management Product Management others Cybersecurity MBA Design Thinking Public Policy Leadership Finance Others PGDM Technology Degree Artificial Intelligence Project Management Healthcare Skills you'll gain: Duration: 11 Months IIM Lucknow CERT-IIML Healthcare Management India Starts on undefined Get Details Skills you'll gain: Duration: 11 Months IIM Lucknow CERT-IIML Healthcare Management India Starts on undefined Get Details "We gave them (Pakistan) a chance for peace but they acted with cowardice. We then answered with only Sindoor is our resolve, our message, and our response," said General Dwivedi. He added, "With the unwavering trust of the countrymen and the strategic autonomy granted by the govt, the Army delivered a well-planned, precise, and decisive response." Rudra Brigades: All-arms units for the frontlines The most significant change is the creation of Rudra brigades — permanent all-arms combat units that will include infantry, tanks, artillery, mechanised forces, Special Forces, and drones. These brigades are drawn from the existing pool of over 250 single-arm brigades, each made up of more than 3,000 soldiers. Traditionally, these units came together only during wartime or joint exercises. Now, they will operate as cohesive, self-sufficient units, stationed together in both peace and war. Live Events A senior Army officer told The Times of India , "Now, the ones being converted to Rudra brigades, tailor-made for specific areas and tasks along the borders, will have all combat elements and be permanently deployed together in peace and war. Their re-structuring has been validated and approved. Two Rudra brigades have already been set up." This shift is a partial realisation of a long-discussed plan to create Integrated Battle Groups (IBGs), larger formations of 5,000–6,000 soldiers combining multiple combat arms. That proposal is still awaiting full government approval, but the Rudra model marks a move in that direction. Bhairav Battalions: Fast strike units for border action Alongside Rudra brigades, the Army is also forming new Bhairav light commando battalions. These units are intended to operate close to the border with speed and precision. They will support the existing Para-Special Forces and Para (Airborne) battalions, which focus on deep-penetration missions. The Bhairav units are being raised from regular infantry, and they are being equipped with updated weapons, tech and drones. The target is to form 40 to 50 such battalions in phases. "The agile and lethal special forces Bhairav units are ready to surprise the enemy on the borders," said General Dwivedi, hinting that some units are already operational, as reported by TOI. Drone platoons and smart artillery in every battalion The Army is also rearming for modern warfare. Every infantry battalion — over 400 of them — will be equipped with a dedicated drone platoon. This move reflects the growing dominance of drone warfare, which has been seen shifting the balance in conflicts worldwide. Artillery is getting a significant overhaul too. New 'Shaktibaan' regiments are being introduced with 'Divyastra' batteries — a combination of surveillance assets and loitering munitions. These are designed to track and strike moving targets in real time. "Every infantry battalion will have drone platoons, while the firepower of the artillery has been multiplied many times through Divyastra batteries and loiter munitions batteries," said General Dwivedi. Air defence systems get a major boost The Army's Air Defence (AAD) branch is also expanding its capabilities. Two new regiments of Akash Prime surface-to-air missiles are being deployed for use in high-altitude areas bordering China. These systems are designed to intercept aircraft, helicopters, and drones up to 25 km away. Additionally, three regiments of the newer Quick Reaction Surface-to-Air Missiles (QRSAM) are being procured at a cost of Rs 36,000 crore. These will be shared between the Army and the Indian Air Force. With a 30 km range, the QRSAMs will provide mobile, short-range defence against aerial threats. The combined systems will reinforce India's multi-layered air defence network, which was tested during Operation Sindoor . According to Army sources, this network played a key role in stopping drone and missile strikes from Pakistan, including Turkish-origin drones and Chinese-supplied missiles. Operation Sindoor and the push for change Operation Sindoor, conducted from 7 to 10 May, was a response to coordinated attempts by Pakistan to breach Indian territory using drones and missiles. It was during these clashes that the gaps in India's traditional military structure became more visible. The reliance on separate arms that operate independently often slowed down response times. This experience has pushed the Army to embrace a more integrated model. Instead of relying on traditional infantry-heavy formations, the focus is now on flexible, tech-enabled units that can respond quickly and decisively. At present, these changes are being implemented without increasing the total strength of the Army, which stands at around 11.5 lakh personnel. India's military is clearly shifting gears. The Rudra and Bhairav units are part of a broader plan to create a more agile force that is ready for both border skirmishes and full-scale conflict. By embedding drones and smart weaponry deep into its formations, the Army is adapting to a battlefield that is no longer defined just by boots on the ground. The strategy is simple: fight smarter, move faster, and stay ready.
Time of India
08-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Why India is securing its dams, refineries as Pakistan prepares to retaliate
Why India is securing its dams, refineries as Pakistan prepares to retaliate Bharti Jain & Rajat Pandit TNN May 8, 2025, 13:00 IST The move follows a security assessment that Pakistan, hamstrung by India's decision to focus the precision strikes exclusively on terror camps, could target crucial installations With a retaliation by Pakistan being considered likely in the wake of Operation Sindoor, India has shored up its defences across the land, air and sea domains. The Centre has also told states and Union Territories bordering Pakistan and Nepal to be on high alert and bolster security at all vulnerable points, particularly vital installations such as dams and oil refineries.
Economic Times
28-04-2025
- Politics
- Economic Times
Outraged over Pahalgam, combat-ready India begins major war games in Arabian Sea; Pakistan edgy
Live Events (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel India is intensifying pressure on Pakistan through significant military demonstrations at both land and sea borders. The Indian Army is actively addressing ceasefire violations along the Line of Control (LoC), while the Navy has been executing various missile launches in the Arabian Sea . Additionally, the Indian Air Force (IAF) is conducting extensive long-range fighter operations around the clock, The Times of India reported on April Indian and Pakistani forces engaged in small arms exchanges for the third consecutive night along the extensive 778-km LoC, the Navy announced on Sunday that it had successfully carried out multiple anti-ship missile firings. This was aimed at "revalidating and demonstrating the readiness of its platforms, systems, and crew for long-range precision offensive strikes," ToI's report (by Rajat Pandit) increase in military activities appears to be a component of a broader strategy to keep Pakistan on edge until the Indian government decides on potential decisive strikes, carefully considering the escalation matrix while being cautious not to breach nuclear the Arabian Sea, at least four key destroyers and frigates have performed test firings of BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles, which recently saw their strike range extended from 290 km to 450 km. Alongside this, other weapon systems have also been tested in the past few Navy has asserted its readiness, declaring itself "combat ready, credible and future-ready" to protect national interests "anytime, anywhere, anyhow," while also sharing videos and images from their firing exercises to convey a clear strategic air-breathing BrahMos, capable of flying at nearly three times the speed of sound at Mach 2.8, serves as the primary conventional precision-strike weapon for India's armed forces. The Army operates at least four regiments equipped with BrahMos, while the IAF possesses land-based batteries and 40 Sukhoi-30MKI fighter jets fitted with advanced air-to-ground missile assets are expected to play a significant role when the Indian government considers limited punitive military actions against Pakistan, which could include concentrated fire assaults without crossing the LoC or deeper precision strikes via fighter jets, as previously reported by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh have made it abundantly clear that there will be severe consequences not only for those responsible for the Pahalgam massacre but also for those orchestrating these actions from behind the scenes, ToI's report said citing a senior military the LoC, the Army reported that several Pakistan Army posts had once again "initiated unprovoked firing" with small arms, including rifles and light machine guns, targeting Indian positions in regions such as Tutmari Gali, Rampur, Uri, Gurez, and Sunderbani sectors late Saturday night."Our troops effectively responded with appropriate small arms fire in double measure. Should the Pakistan Army resort to using higher-caliber weaponry such as artillery guns, anti-tank guided missiles, and 120mm mortars, we will retaliate accordingly," a senior officer told emphasised that substantial costs could be imposed on the Pakistan Army for its role in perpetuating cross-border terrorism. Prior to the renewed understanding between the Directors General of Military Operations (DGMOs) of India and Pakistan in February 2021, maintaining peace was the norm. "Our dynamic response strategy is fully operational," he IAF is also maintaining a heightened state of operational readiness, having fully activated all air bases on the western front, with fighter jets conducting regular combat air patrols (CAPs) and air defense missile systems primed to intercept aerial threats.
Time of India
28-04-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Outraged over Pahalgam, combat-ready India begins major war games in Arabian Sea; Pakistan edgy
India is intensifying pressure on Pakistan through significant military demonstrations at both land and sea borders. The Indian Army is actively addressing ceasefire violations along the Line of Control (LoC), while the Navy has been executing various missile launches in the Arabian Sea . Additionally, the Indian Air Force (IAF) is conducting extensive long-range fighter operations around the clock, The Times of India reported on April 28. #Pahalgam Terrorist Attack India stares at a 'water bomb' threat as it freezes Indus Treaty India readies short, mid & long-term Indus River plans Shehbaz Sharif calls India's stand "worn-out narrative" As Indian and Pakistani forces engaged in small arms exchanges for the third consecutive night along the extensive 778-km LoC, the Navy announced on Sunday that it had successfully carried out multiple anti-ship missile firings. This was aimed at "revalidating and demonstrating the readiness of its platforms, systems, and crew for long-range precision offensive strikes," ToI's report (by Rajat Pandit) said. The increase in military activities appears to be a component of a broader strategy to keep Pakistan on edge until the Indian government decides on potential decisive strikes, carefully considering the escalation matrix while being cautious not to breach nuclear thresholds. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Join new Free to Play WWII MMO War Thunder War Thunder Play Now Undo In the Arabian Sea, at least four key destroyers and frigates have performed test firings of BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles, which recently saw their strike range extended from 290 km to 450 km. Alongside this, other weapon systems have also been tested in the past few days. The Navy has asserted its readiness, declaring itself "combat ready, credible and future-ready" to protect national interests "anytime, anywhere, anyhow," while also sharing videos and images from their firing exercises to convey a clear strategic message. Live Events The air-breathing BrahMos, capable of flying at nearly three times the speed of sound at Mach 2.8, serves as the primary conventional precision-strike weapon for India's armed forces. The Army operates at least four regiments equipped with BrahMos, while the IAF possesses land-based batteries and 40 Sukhoi-30MKI fighter jets fitted with advanced air-to-ground missile variants. These assets are expected to play a significant role when the Indian government considers limited punitive military actions against Pakistan, which could include concentrated fire assaults without crossing the LoC or deeper precision strikes via fighter jets, as previously reported by TOI. Both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh have made it abundantly clear that there will be severe consequences not only for those responsible for the Pahalgam massacre but also for those orchestrating these actions from behind the scenes, ToI's report said citing a senior military officer. Along the LoC, the Army reported that several Pakistan Army posts had once again "initiated unprovoked firing" with small arms, including rifles and light machine guns, targeting Indian positions in regions such as Tutmari Gali, Rampur, Uri, Gurez, and Sunderbani sectors late Saturday night. "Our troops effectively responded with appropriate small arms fire in double measure. Should the Pakistan Army resort to using higher-caliber weaponry such as artillery guns, anti-tank guided missiles, and 120mm mortars, we will retaliate accordingly," a senior officer told TOI. He emphasised that substantial costs could be imposed on the Pakistan Army for its role in perpetuating cross-border terrorism. Prior to the renewed understanding between the Directors General of Military Operations (DGMOs) of India and Pakistan in February 2021, maintaining peace was the norm. "Our dynamic response strategy is fully operational," he added. The IAF is also maintaining a heightened state of operational readiness, having fully activated all air bases on the western front, with fighter jets conducting regular combat air patrols (CAPs) and air defense missile systems primed to intercept aerial threats.
