Indian Army Conducts Successful Drone Exercise ‘Vayu Samanvay-II’

• The Indian Army successfully carried out a major drone and counter-drone warfare exercise titled ‘Vayu Samanvay-II’ in the Desert Sector under the Southern Command from October 28 to 29, 2025. The large-scale drill focused on strengthening operational readiness for next-generation warfare, highlighting the Army’s increasing emphasis on technological integration and battlefield innovation.

Focus on Next-Generation Warfare

• The exercise simulated realistic combat scenarios involving drones, electronic warfare, and multi-domain coordination. It tested the Army’s ability to manage aerial and ground assets in a contested environment using advanced command-and-control systems. The aim was to enhance the Army’s capacity to respond to evolving threats where drones and counter-drone measures play a central role. ‘Vayu Samanvay-II’ showcased the use of indigenous systems, underlining India’s progress toward self-reliance in defence technology.

Joint Operations and Interoperability

• A key feature of the exercise was the seamless coordination between different arms of the Army, demonstrating the integration of surveillance, targeting, and strike capabilities. Troops tested home-grown drones and counter-drone systems developed by Indian defence firms and research agencies. This aligns with the government’s Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative, aimed at achieving technological autonomy and reducing dependence on foreign systems.

Leadership and Strategic Outcomes

• Lieutenant General Dhiraj Seth, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Southern Command, praised the success of the exercise and emphasised its role in capability enhancement. He noted that the insights gained from ‘Vayu Samanvay-II’ would support faster induction of advanced drone technologies and strengthen India’s preparedness for modern, multi-domain warfare.

Exam Summary

• Exercise Name: Vayu Samanvay-II

• Conducted by: Indian Army (Southern Command)

• Location: Desert Sector

• Dates: October 28–29, 2025

• Focus: Drone and counter-drone operations, electronic warfare, joint coordination

• Key Officer: Lt. Gen. Dhiraj Seth

Towards a Future-Ready Force

The Ministry of Defence stated that the exercise reinforces the Army’s commitment to becoming a modern, agile, and technology-driven force. With advancements in drones, artificial intelligence, and surveillance systems, ‘Vayu Samanvay-II’ demonstrates India’s readiness to dominate future battlefields through innovation, self-reliance, and strategic foresight.