India’s defence capabilities are entering a new era as the Indian Army ramps up its indigenous drone programme. Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi has revealed that every Army command is either already manufacturing or will soon build up to 5,000 drones in-house. These are not small surveillance drones, but advanced platforms that have been tested for ranges of up to 100 kilometres, with plans to extend their reach even further. The move marks a major push toward self-reliance in defence and reflects the Army’s focus on modern, technology-driven warfare. With drones becoming a critical part of battlefield strategy, this initiative significantly strengthens India’s preparedness and reduces dependence on imports for key defence systems.