Fast, furious, and future-ready: Why Indian Army's Rudra Brigade could be a game-changer against China and Pakistan
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Bhairav Light Commando Battalions
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The Indian Army is moving ahead with the creation of new all-arms 'Rudra' brigades and agile 'Bhairav' light commando battalions to strengthen its operational readiness along the borders with China and Pakistan. Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi announced the move during the Kargil Vijay Diwas ceremony in Drass on Saturday.Indian Army's Rudra Brigade is part of the Army's wider efforts to become a modern, agile, and future-ready force. They are structured to deliver swift, integrated, and technology-backed responses in border scenarios without the need for additional troop deployments.The Indian Army's Rudra Brigades are being formed by converting two existing infantry brigades stationed along the borders. These new formations integrate multiple combat arms—infantry, mechanised infantry, tanks, artillery, Special Forces, and unmanned aerial systems—into a single cohesive unit with dedicated logistics and combat support.'Rudra, all of the brigade, is being established for which I gave approval yesterday. Under this, we will have infantry, mechanised infantry, armoured units, artillery, special forces and unmanned aerial units at one place to provide logistics and combat support,' said General Upendra Dwivedi.Designed for flexible and rapid deployment, these formations enhance coordination among various combat elements by placing them under a unified command structure.Each Rudra Brigade will vary in composition based on its operational role. Units will be equipped with area saturation weapons and drone-based surveillance to boost situational awareness and firepower.For instance, in plains, a Rudra Brigade could include mechanised infantry, armoured regiments, and self-propelled artillery for high-speed offensives. In mountainous terrain, it may include infantry battalions and artillery units better suited for high-altitude warfare. Special Forces elements may also be included in select formations for sensitive border operations such as along the Line of Control (LoC).Alongside Rudra Brigades, the Indian Army is also raising Bhairav Light Commando Battalions, lean, tactical units intended for quick strikes and rapid border deployment.'We are driven towards becoming a developed, modern and futuristic power. A new brigade is being established, and I approved it yesterday. This will have fighting components like mechanised infantry, armoured units, artillery, special forces with logistic and combat support... Special forces have also been established that will always be ready to shock the enemy on the border,' said General Dwivedi.Unlike traditional Special Forces, Bhairav battalions are focused on tactical assignments and border actions, with an emphasis on mobility and rapid impact rather than deep strategic operations.The Army's restructuring plan involves converting 250 single-arm brigades, each typically comprising about 3,000 soldiers, into all-arms formations. These new structures integrate multiple combat units supported by logistics tailored for each brigade's operational role. The Army is initiating these formations in limited numbers. 'To begin with raisings are going on in a lesser number which can be counted on fingers,' a source told The New Indian Express.The Rudra concept builds on the Army's previous proposal of Integrated Battle Groups (IBGs), a modernisation initiative aligned with the Cold Start Doctrine, designed for rapid, coordinated responses to provocations or attacks.The inclusion of Rudra and Bhairav units is seen as a step toward executing quick, multi-axis offensives using integrated combat platforms. With advanced mobility, coordination, and firepower, these formations are intended to deter and respond to threats with speed and precision.IBGs are brigade-sized, self-sustaining combat formations, each typically led by a Major General and made up of around 5,000 personnel, larger than traditional brigades but smaller than divisions. These groups combine infantry, armour, artillery, engineers, and support services to prepare for deployment within 12–48 hours in case of hostilities.General Dwivedi earlier said, 'It is basically the restructuring of a particular strike corps. Now, when we look at it, it has some financial implications, and it also has implications in terms of equipping as well as human resources. It has taken a long period, it is in its final stages, and we are hopeful.'Initially, two IBGs were planned, one under the 9 Corps along the western border with Pakistan and another under the 17 Strike Corps facing China.A brigade typically consists of three battalions drawn from arms like infantry, artillery, armour, or engineers. Each brigade includes around 3,000 soldiers and is led by a brigadier. Support units from other arms are attached depending on the role.A division, made up of three brigades, is similarly organised by combat role—such as infantry, armoured, or artillery divisions.The Army continues to adapt its formations in line with evolving warfare needs. Drone platoons have been integrated into most infantry battalions, and artillery regiments are now supported by loitering munitions under the 'Divyastra' programme. The proposed IBGs and the newly announced Rudra and Bhairav units reflect a shift toward faster, tech-enabled warfare across different terrains and threat scenarios.'Every IBG will be self-contained, mixing elements of every arm and service according to the terrain and operational requirements,' General Dwivedi had noted.The creation of Rudra Brigades and Bhairav Battalions marks a significant shift in how the Indian Army prepares for future conflicts. These fast, flexible, and high-tech formations could play a crucial role in responding swiftly to threats along India's volatile borders with China and Pakistan.
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What are Rudra Brigades? Live Events Bhairav Light Commando Battalions You Might Also Like: Supporters of terrorism will not be spared: Army chief Upendra Dwivedi on Kargil Vijay Diwas Converting Existing Brigades Why Rudra Brigades Now? Integrated Battle Groups (IBGs): The Larger Picture Understanding Brigades and Divisions Indian Army: Modernising for Future Wars (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel The Indian Army is moving ahead with the creation of new all-arms 'Rudra' brigades and agile 'Bhairav' light commando battalions to strengthen its operational readiness along the borders with China and Pakistan. Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi announced the move during the Kargil Vijay Diwas ceremony in Drass on Army's Rudra Brigade is part of the Army's wider efforts to become a modern, agile, and future-ready force. They are structured to deliver swift, integrated, and technology-backed responses in border scenarios without the need for additional troop Indian Army's Rudra Brigades are being formed by converting two existing infantry brigades stationed along the borders. These new formations integrate multiple combat arms—infantry, mechanised infantry, tanks, artillery, Special Forces, and unmanned aerial systems—into a single cohesive unit with dedicated logistics and combat support.'Rudra, all of the brigade, is being established for which I gave approval yesterday. Under this, we will have infantry, mechanised infantry, armoured units, artillery, special forces and unmanned aerial units at one place to provide logistics and combat support,' said General Upendra for flexible and rapid deployment, these formations enhance coordination among various combat elements by placing them under a unified command Rudra Brigade will vary in composition based on its operational role. Units will be equipped with area saturation weapons and drone-based surveillance to boost situational awareness and instance, in plains, a Rudra Brigade could include mechanised infantry, armoured regiments, and self-propelled artillery for high-speed offensives. In mountainous terrain, it may include infantry battalions and artillery units better suited for high-altitude warfare. Special Forces elements may also be included in select formations for sensitive border operations such as along the Line of Control (LoC).Alongside Rudra Brigades, the Indian Army is also raising Bhairav Light Commando Battalions, lean, tactical units intended for quick strikes and rapid border deployment.'We are driven towards becoming a developed, modern and futuristic power. A new brigade is being established, and I approved it yesterday. This will have fighting components like mechanised infantry, armoured units, artillery, special forces with logistic and combat support... Special forces have also been established that will always be ready to shock the enemy on the border,' said General traditional Special Forces, Bhairav battalions are focused on tactical assignments and border actions, with an emphasis on mobility and rapid impact rather than deep strategic Army's restructuring plan involves converting 250 single-arm brigades, each typically comprising about 3,000 soldiers, into all-arms formations. These new structures integrate multiple combat units supported by logistics tailored for each brigade's operational role. The Army is initiating these formations in limited numbers. 'To begin with raisings are going on in a lesser number which can be counted on fingers,' a source told The New Indian Rudra concept builds on the Army's previous proposal of Integrated Battle Groups (IBGs), a modernisation initiative aligned with the Cold Start Doctrine, designed for rapid, coordinated responses to provocations or inclusion of Rudra and Bhairav units is seen as a step toward executing quick, multi-axis offensives using integrated combat platforms. With advanced mobility, coordination, and firepower, these formations are intended to deter and respond to threats with speed and are brigade-sized, self-sustaining combat formations, each typically led by a Major General and made up of around 5,000 personnel, larger than traditional brigades but smaller than divisions. These groups combine infantry, armour, artillery, engineers, and support services to prepare for deployment within 12–48 hours in case of Dwivedi earlier said, 'It is basically the restructuring of a particular strike corps. Now, when we look at it, it has some financial implications, and it also has implications in terms of equipping as well as human resources. It has taken a long period, it is in its final stages, and we are hopeful.'Initially, two IBGs were planned, one under the 9 Corps along the western border with Pakistan and another under the 17 Strike Corps facing China.A brigade typically consists of three battalions drawn from arms like infantry, artillery, armour, or engineers. Each brigade includes around 3,000 soldiers and is led by a brigadier. Support units from other arms are attached depending on the role.A division, made up of three brigades, is similarly organised by combat role—such as infantry, armoured, or artillery Army continues to adapt its formations in line with evolving warfare needs. Drone platoons have been integrated into most infantry battalions, and artillery regiments are now supported by loitering munitions under the 'Divyastra' programme. The proposed IBGs and the newly announced Rudra and Bhairav units reflect a shift toward faster, tech-enabled warfare across different terrains and threat scenarios.'Every IBG will be self-contained, mixing elements of every arm and service according to the terrain and operational requirements,' General Dwivedi had creation of Rudra Brigades and Bhairav Battalions marks a significant shift in how the Indian Army prepares for future conflicts. These fast, flexible, and high-tech formations could play a crucial role in responding swiftly to threats along India's volatile borders with China and Pakistan.
