The Indian Army, under the Eastern Command, conducted Exercise Drone Kavach from September 25–28, 2025, in the forward areas of Eastern Arunachal Pradesh, a strategically sensitive border region adjoining China.
The four-day exercise was led by the Spear Corps to test and demonstrate the Army’s preparedness for next-generation drone warfare and multi-domain operations in mountainous terrain.
Exercise Drone Kavach Highlights
- Objective: To enhance the Indian Army’s drone warfare capabilities and strengthen its counter-drone systems in a realistic battlefield environment.
- Duration: 25–28 September 2025
- Location: Forward areas of Eastern Arunachal Pradesh
- Conducted By: Spear Corps, under the Eastern Command (Headquartered in Kolkata)
- Participants:
- Indian Army
- Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP)
Focus Areas of Exercise
Combat Simulations & Tactical Manoeuvres:
- Simulated multi-domain battlefield conditions, focusing on coordination between drone operators and ground troops.
Target Acquisition & Neutralisation:
- Precision targeting under simulated high-altitude combat scenarios.
Counter-Drone Operations:
- Both active (offensive) and passive (defensive) counter-drone measures were tested to evaluate system efficiency.
Development of Tactics and Procedures:
- Newly formed unit-level teams developed Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures (TTPs) aligned with evolving battlefield doctrines.
Significance for Indian Army
Operational Modernisation:
- The exercise showcased the Indian Army’s focus on integrating emerging drone technologies and AI-driven systems in warfare.
Future Warfare Preparedness:
- Provided insights into drone-based threat environments, helping refine future doctrines for border and high-altitude warfare.
Multi-Domain Readiness:
- Demonstrated synergy between ground troops, surveillance assets, and digital command systems- essential for network-centric warfare.
Related Achievement: Mount Gorichen Expedition
- Date: September 19, 2025
- Achievement: Soldiers from Spear Corps successfully summited Mount Gorichen (6,488 m)– Arunachal Pradesh’s highest climbable peak.
- Objective: Promote adventure, endurance, and environmental conservation.
- Terrain: Between Tawang and West Kameng districts.
- Known as the “Roof of Arunachal”, the climb symbolised the Army’s resilience, teamwork, and adaptability to extreme conditions.
National and Strategic Significance
Strengthening Border Defence:
- The exercise enhances India’s counter-drone and surveillance capabilities along the Indo-China border, a region witnessing growing drone activity.
Future Warfighting Doctrines:
- Initiatives like Drone Kavach and the Gorichen expedition reflect the Army’s approach toward integrating technology, sustainability, and physical endurance into future Himalayan warfare doctrines.
Technological Self-Reliance:
- The exercise underlines India’s efforts in indigenising defence technology through partnerships with DRDO, BEL, and private drone startups.
Key Facts
| Topic | Key Facts |
| Exercise Name | Drone Kavach |
| Conducted by | Indian Army (Eastern Command) |
| Led by | Spear Corps |
| Location | Eastern Arunachal Pradesh |
| Dates | 25–28 September 2025 |
| Participating Agencies | Indian Army and Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) |
| Eastern Command HQ | Kolkata, West Bengal |
| ITBP Formation | 1962 (post India-China war); HQ – New Delhi |
| Mount Gorichen Height | 6,488 metres |
| Mount Gorichen Location | Between Tawang and West Kameng districts, Arunachal Pradesh |
| Nickname of Mount Gorichen | “Roof of Arunachal” |
| Indian Army Formation Day | January 26, 1950 |
| First Commander-in-Chief (Indian Army) | General K.M. Cariappa |
| Current Chief of Army Staff (as of 2025) | General Upendra Dwivedi |
| Border Guarding Force with China | Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) |
| ITBP Motto | Shaurya, Dridhata, Karm Nishtha (Valour, Determination, Devotion to Duty) |
Significance in Defence Context
- Marks a shift from conventional warfare to technology-centric combat.
- Enhances Army’s readiness against drone surveillance and UAV-based attacks, especially in border and high-altitude zones.
- Reflects India’s commitment to modernise its defence forces through exercises combining technology, tactical innovation, and environmental endurance.