New Delhi: With the evolving nature of warfare, leading militaries worldwide are significantly enhancing their unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) capabilities to secure battlefield dominance.UAVs have revolutionised modern warfare, reshaping the dynamics of military operations. These drones provide unparalleled tactical advantages and improve operational efficiency across a range of combat scenarios.For India, the two-front military threat from China and Pakistan remains a formidable challenge with no easy answers.Although India is rapidly upgrading its UAV capabilities, its adversaries are also steadily advancing, equipping their forces with drones that boast greater lethality and capabilities.Also read: Indian Army's advanced UAV strategy: How expansion, modernisation and global lessons will strengthen defenceThe People's Liberation Army (PLA) operates a diverse and advanced fleet of UAVs, including the CH-4, CH-5, Wing Loong-2, and the stealth-capable CH-7 UCAV. These drones are integral to China's efforts to enhance its reconnaissance and combat capabilities.China’s Drone Categories & Key Models:Strategic Recon Drones: ○ WZ-7 Soaring Dragon (High-altitude surveillance) ○ BZK-005 (Maritime surveillance)Tactical ISR Drones: ○ ASN series (ASN-205, ASN-206, ASN-207, ASN-209)Armed UAVs: ○ CH (Rainbow) Series (CH-4, CH-5, CH-9) ○ Wing Loong Series (I, II)Stealth & Advanced UCAVs: ○ Hongdu GJ-11 (Stealth UCAV) ○ AVIC Dark Sword (Unmanned Fighter Jet) ○ WZ-8 (High-speed Recon Drone)Swarm & Carrier Drones: ○ Jetank (Carries smaller UAVs for swarm attacks) ○ Multirotor VTOL UAVs for militia & police unitsHypersonic & Future UAVs: ○ MD-19, MD-21 (Hypersonic Recon & Strike) ○ MD-22 (Hypersonic UAV Testbed)Composition & Expansion Plans: ● Current Fleet Size: Estimated at tens of thousands of UAVs. ● Future Plans: Heavy investment in hypersonic drones, AI-driven swarming tech, and stealth UCAVs.Pakistan's UAV fleet is estimated to comprise 150–200 drones, including the CH-3-based Burraq, Wing Loong-1 and Wing Loong-2, as well as the Turkish-origin Bayraktar TB2 drones. These UAVs enhance Pakistan's reconnaissance and combat capabilities significantly.Pakistan’s Drone Categories & Key Models:Reconnaissance & ISR UAVs: ○ GIDS Shahpar-1 & 2 (MALE ISR) ○ GIDS Uqab-NG (Short-range ISR) ○ SATUMA Jasoos II "Bravo+" (ISR)Combat & Strike UAVs: ○ NESCOM Burraq (Armed Drone, based on China’s CH-3) ○ GIDS Shahpar-3 (New Armed UAV, 2024)Chinese Combat Drones: ○ CASC CH-4B (Strike UAV, similar to US MQ-9) ○ CAIG Wing Loong I & II (Combat & Recon UAVs)Turkish Combat Drones: ○ Bayraktar TB-2 (Combat UAV, used in Azerbaijan & Ukraine) ○ Bayraktar Akinci (Heavy-armed, long-range UAV)Other Foreign UAVs: ○ AeroVironment RQ-11 (Mini UAV, US) ○ EMT Luna X-2000 (ISR, Germany) ○ Boeing Insitu ScanEagle (Recon, US)Composition & Expansion Plans: ● Current Fleet Size: Estimated at hundreds of operational UAVs. ● Future Plans: Increasing armed drone acquisitions from China & Turkey, developing Shahpar-III-class UCAVs.India primarily operates Israeli-origin UAVs, such as the Heron and Searcher Mark II, which play a key role in surveillance and intelligence-gathering operations.India's drone categories and key modelsReconnaissance & Surveillance: ○ DRDO Netra (Micro UAV) ○ DRDO Nishant (Short-range) ○ DRDO Panchi (Wheeled version of Nishant) ○ DRDO Lakshya (Aerial Target) ○ DRDO Ulka (Supersonic Target Drone)Combat & Strike UAVs: ○ DRDO Archer (Armed version of Rustom) ○ DRDO Ghatak (Stealth UCAV, under development) ○ HAL Combat Air Teaming System (CATS) – Loyal Wingman conceptMedium & High-Altitude Long Endurance (MALE & HALE) Drones: ○ DRDO Rustom-I ○ TAPAS-BH-201 (Rustom-II) ○ DRDO Abhyas (Target Drone)Israeli Drones: ○ Heron (Mark-I & II) (MALE) ○ Searcher Mk I & II (Short-range ISR) ○ Harpy (Loitering Munition)American Drones: ○ MQ-9B SeaGuardian (Under acquisition) ○ MQ-9B SkyGuardian (Under acquisition)European/Other Acquisitions: ○ Black Hornet Nano-Drones (Recon) ○ Hermes 900 (Manufactured by Adani-Elbit)Composition & Expansion Plans: ● Current Fleet Size: Estimated 2,000–2,500 drones across the Indian Armed Forces. ● Planned Inductions: Approx. 5,000 UAVs in the next decade.In a bid to strengthen its UAV ecosystem, India is prioritising indigenous development by encouraging local firms to design and manufacture advanced UAV platforms. This initiative aims to reduce reliance on foreign imports while fostering strategic collaborations with global defense manufacturers, research institutions, and technology start-ups. Additionally, efforts are underway to enhance UAV capabilities with advanced electronic warfare systems and protective measures.The Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) initiative has been pivotal in accelerating the growth of India’s UAV sector by providing funding and support to start-ups and defense innovators. Through iDEX, several UAV-focused start-ups are developing advanced solutions, including next-generation swarming drones, high-altitude surveillance UAVs, and loitering munitions for frontline operations. This initiative serves as a critical link between private-sector innovation and the military’s evolving requirements.Also read: India-Russia deal for Klub-S anti-ship cruise missile: A game-changer for Navy's submarine warfare?To ensure strategic superiority in UAV capabilities, India’s roadmap should focus on the following priorities: