Govt inks Rs 2,770 crore deal: How new 'Bhairav' commando units, 'Ashni' drone platoons will transform 382 infantry battalions

The announcements come ahead of Shaurya Diwas (Infantry Day) on October 27

In a big revamp following Operation Sindoor, the Centre has signed a Rs 2,770-crore deal for modern carbines, enhancing infantry capabilities with drones and Javelin weapons, according to reports.

The Army plans to progressively transform its 382 infantry battalions to meet the challenges of tech-driven warfare.

The initiatives will also include induction of modern sniper rifles, machine guns, carbines, rocket-launchers, loitering munitions, tank-killing missiles and software-defined radios, raising of new “Bhairav” light commando units and introducing “Ashni” drone platoons.

“Multiple initiatives, institutional measures and technology transformations are being undertaken. The focus is on lethality, mobility, battlefield transparency, situational awareness, survivability, training and restructuring,” director general of infantry Lt-General Ajay Kumar told TOI on Wednesday. He was interacting with the media ahead of Shaurya Diwas on October 27 which is commemorated as Infantry Day.

He said about 385 infantry battalions of the Indian Army have already been equipped with a platoon each of “Bhairav” as part of a mega transformative effort. “Each platoon will operate 10 drones, four of which will be for surveillance and six will be loitering munitions of ‘kamikaze’ drones,” he said.

According to The Week, every ‘Bhairav’ battalion comprises 250 specially trained soldiers and will have components of Artillery, Signals and Army Air Defence all duly embedded.

“Five battalions have already been deployed in the area of intended operations with on-the- job training from October 1. These will be fully operationalised and battle ready by October 31,” Gen Kumar said.

Lt Gen Kumar said all 380 infantry battalions now have drone platoons, called ‘Ashni’. Each platoon will comprise around 25 personnel. This is reportedly part of the “eagle on the arm” concept. It is a new doctrine that envisions every soldier equipped and trained to operate drones specific to their mission, be it surveillance, combat, logistics, or medical evacuation.

“Trials of different types of drones are on. These platoons will be equipped drones that can be used for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), and loitering munitions or kamikaze drones,” he said.

According to Hindustan Times, the Bhairav battalions are designed to bridge the gap between conventional and modern infantry actions. “Each of these battalions consist of 250 elite soldiers equipped for swift and surprise attacks…bolstering the army’s special operations capability,” he said. Five such battalions have already been deployed.

Kumar also said that the Javelin purchase underway includes 12 launchers and 104 missiles.

The induction of the carbines—which will replace the Sterling carbines—is expected from September 2026 onwards. Bharat Forge will deliver 60% of the carbines with PLR Systems supplying the remaining 40%, according to a report by The Week.