Latest news with #Rudra
Time of India
a day ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Rudra and Bhairav — How India is getting ready for Pak-China military threat
Rudra and Bhairav — How India is getting ready for Pak-China military threat Rajat Pandit TNN Updated: Jul 28, 2025, 19:22 IST IST The Army's transformation blueprint includes creation of all-arms Rudra brigades, agile Bhairav light commando battalions, Shaktibaan artillery regiments, and dedicated drone platoons In the face of the growing collusive military threat from China and Pakistan — a concern underscored during Operation Sindoor in May — the Indian Army is now forming new Rudra all-arms brigades and Bhairav light commando battalions to enhance its offensive capabilities and ensure quicker response along the borders. The 11.5-lakh strong Army is also going in for Shaktibaan artillery regiments, with special Divyastra surveillance and loitering munitions batteries.
Hans India
3 days ago
- Politics
- Hans India
Op Sindoor strikes sent clear message to Pakistan: Army chief
Indianarmy chief General Upendra Dwivedi on Saturday said that the surgical strikes carried out during Operation Sindoor were a clear message to Pakistan that supporters of terrorism will not be spared. 'Operation Sindoor was a message to Pakistan as well as a response to the Pahalgam terror attack, which was a deep wound for the entire nation. This time India did not only mourn but showed that the response will be decisive,' Gen Dwivedi said at the Kargil War Memorial here. Addressing a gathering on Vijay Diwas, the chief of army staff said a stern response to the adversary was the new normal established by India. 'The faith shown by the countrymen and the free hand given by the government, the Indian Army gave a befitting surgical response. Any power that tries to challenge the unity, integrity, and sovereignty of India or harm the people will be given a befitting reply. This is the new normal of India,' he said. Gen Dwivedi said that during Operation Sindoor, the army eliminated nine high-value terrorist targets in Pakistan with zero collateral damage. 'India attained a decisive victory by effective targeting of terror infrastructure in Pakistan during Operation Sindoor. The army targeted the terrorist infrastructure and foiled the other aggressive moves of Pakistan to attain a decisive victory,' he said. Dwivedi said Indian gave peace a chance, but Pakistan resorted to cowardice. 'The Pakistani action on May 8 and 9 was responded to effectively. Our army air defence stood like an impregnable wall which could not be breached by any missile or drones,' he said. He said the Indian Army is on its way to becoming a force to reckon with in the world. 'Rudra, all of brigade, is being established for which I gave an 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,' he said. The army has formed a special strike force Bhairav Light Commando Unit, which is 'always ready to surprise the enemy at the border.' Dwivedi said, 'Every infantry battalion now has a drone platoon. In the artillery, the Shaktiban regiment has been set up, which will be equipped with a drone, counter-drone, and loiter munition. Every regiment will have a composite battery equipped with these things.' The army chief said our capability will increase manifold in coming days as we are equipping the army air defence systems with indigenous missiles. Recalling the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the silver jubilee celebrations last year, the military chief said the presence of top leaders shows that it is not only an army day but a festival for the entire nation. 'The nation is safe due to the sacrifices made by the heroes at the icy heights. We remember their dedication and determination, and we bow to the brave heroes who laid down their lives so that we can live a peaceful life with dignity,' he added.
Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
All about Indian Army's new Rudra brigade and Bhairav Commando units
The Indian Army is considering setting up new 'Rudra' all-arms brigades and 'Bhairav' light commando battalions, a significant move aimed at increasing the operational capabilities along the borders with China and Pakistan. Chief of the Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi during a ceremony to pay tribute at the Kargil War Memorial on the 26th anniversary of the Kargil Vijay Diwas, at Drass in Kargil.(PTI) The Rudra brigades and the Bhairav light commando battalion are a part of the army's future-ready force. Army chief general Upendra Dwivedi said the creation of the new units will increase the force 'multifold'. He made the announcement during the Kargil Vijay Diwas in Drass on Saturday. But what exactly are the 'Rudra' brigade and the 'Bhairav' light commando battalions? All about Indian Army's 'Rudra brigade' and 'Bhairav' commandos The Indian Army has reportedly converted two of its infantry brigades, which are deployed on the border, into Rudra brigades. The Rudra brigades include components such as infantry, mechanised infantry, tanks, artillery units, special forces and unmanned aerial systems. "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," CoAS general Upendra Dwivedi said. Rudra Brigades are all-arms formations that combine infantry, mechanised units, tanks, artillery, special forces, and unmanned aerial systems with dedicated logistics and combat support. On the other hand, the army has also formed a lethal Special Forces unit named Bhairav Light Commando Battalion.. The unit is "always ready to surprise the enemy at the border." "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," general Dwivedi said about the 'Bhairav' commandos. The plan involves converting existing units and formations without fresh troop accretions, the Times of India reported, quoting a senior officer. As part of the plan, 250 single-arm brigades (over 3,000 soldiers each) are now being converted to all-arms ones with integration of fighting elements like infantry, mechanised infantry, armoured (tanks), artillery, Special Forces and UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles), it reported. These brigades will be backed by customised logistics and combat support.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Facing two fronts, Indian Army drops the old playbook and gets agile with missiles, drones and commandos
India's Army is taking major steps to strengthen its combat readiness along its northern and western borders. With threats from China and Pakistan no longer seen in isolation, the military has decided to restructure key units for faster and more integrated response, as reported by TOI's Rajat Pandit. On Kargil Vijay Diwas in Drass, Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi announced a set of changes aimed at making the Army "a future-ready force." The announcement comes weeks after India responded militarily to cross-border hostilities from Pakistan in May. Explore courses from Top Institutes in Please select course: Select a Course Category healthcare Operations Management CXO Data Science Data Science Digital Marketing MCA Management Product Management others Cybersecurity MBA Design Thinking Public Policy Leadership Finance Others PGDM Technology Degree Artificial Intelligence Project Management Healthcare Skills you'll gain: Duration: 11 Months IIM Lucknow CERT-IIML Healthcare Management India Starts on undefined Get Details Skills you'll gain: Duration: 11 Months IIM Lucknow CERT-IIML Healthcare Management India Starts on undefined Get Details "We gave them (Pakistan) a chance for peace but they acted with cowardice. We then answered with only Sindoor is our resolve, our message, and our response," said General Dwivedi. He added, "With the unwavering trust of the countrymen and the strategic autonomy granted by the govt, the Army delivered a well-planned, precise, and decisive response." Rudra Brigades: All-arms units for the frontlines The most significant change is the creation of Rudra brigades — permanent all-arms combat units that will include infantry, tanks, artillery, mechanised forces, Special Forces, and drones. These brigades are drawn from the existing pool of over 250 single-arm brigades, each made up of more than 3,000 soldiers. Traditionally, these units came together only during wartime or joint exercises. Now, they will operate as cohesive, self-sufficient units, stationed together in both peace and war. Live Events A senior Army officer told The Times of India , "Now, the ones being converted to Rudra brigades, tailor-made for specific areas and tasks along the borders, will have all combat elements and be permanently deployed together in peace and war. Their re-structuring has been validated and approved. Two Rudra brigades have already been set up." This shift is a partial realisation of a long-discussed plan to create Integrated Battle Groups (IBGs), larger formations of 5,000–6,000 soldiers combining multiple combat arms. That proposal is still awaiting full government approval, but the Rudra model marks a move in that direction. Bhairav Battalions: Fast strike units for border action Alongside Rudra brigades, the Army is also forming new Bhairav light commando battalions. These units are intended to operate close to the border with speed and precision. They will support the existing Para-Special Forces and Para (Airborne) battalions, which focus on deep-penetration missions. The Bhairav units are being raised from regular infantry, and they are being equipped with updated weapons, tech and drones. The target is to form 40 to 50 such battalions in phases. "The agile and lethal special forces Bhairav units are ready to surprise the enemy on the borders," said General Dwivedi, hinting that some units are already operational, as reported by TOI. Drone platoons and smart artillery in every battalion The Army is also rearming for modern warfare. Every infantry battalion — over 400 of them — will be equipped with a dedicated drone platoon. This move reflects the growing dominance of drone warfare, which has been seen shifting the balance in conflicts worldwide. Artillery is getting a significant overhaul too. New 'Shaktibaan' regiments are being introduced with 'Divyastra' batteries — a combination of surveillance assets and loitering munitions. These are designed to track and strike moving targets in real time. "Every infantry battalion will have drone platoons, while the firepower of the artillery has been multiplied many times through Divyastra batteries and loiter munitions batteries," said General Dwivedi. Air defence systems get a major boost The Army's Air Defence (AAD) branch is also expanding its capabilities. Two new regiments of Akash Prime surface-to-air missiles are being deployed for use in high-altitude areas bordering China. These systems are designed to intercept aircraft, helicopters, and drones up to 25 km away. Additionally, three regiments of the newer Quick Reaction Surface-to-Air Missiles (QRSAM) are being procured at a cost of Rs 36,000 crore. These will be shared between the Army and the Indian Air Force. With a 30 km range, the QRSAMs will provide mobile, short-range defence against aerial threats. The combined systems will reinforce India's multi-layered air defence network, which was tested during Operation Sindoor . According to Army sources, this network played a key role in stopping drone and missile strikes from Pakistan, including Turkish-origin drones and Chinese-supplied missiles. Operation Sindoor and the push for change Operation Sindoor, conducted from 7 to 10 May, was a response to coordinated attempts by Pakistan to breach Indian territory using drones and missiles. It was during these clashes that the gaps in India's traditional military structure became more visible. The reliance on separate arms that operate independently often slowed down response times. This experience has pushed the Army to embrace a more integrated model. Instead of relying on traditional infantry-heavy formations, the focus is now on flexible, tech-enabled units that can respond quickly and decisively. At present, these changes are being implemented without increasing the total strength of the Army, which stands at around 11.5 lakh personnel. India's military is clearly shifting gears. The Rudra and Bhairav units are part of a broader plan to create a more agile force that is ready for both border skirmishes and full-scale conflict. By embedding drones and smart weaponry deep into its formations, the Army is adapting to a battlefield that is no longer defined just by boots on the ground. The strategy is simple: fight smarter, move faster, and stay ready.
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Business Standard
3 days ago
- Politics
- Business Standard
Army Chief announces Rudra brigade, Bhairav battalion on 26th Kargil Diwas
Chief of Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi has announced the formation of a new "all-arms brigade" named 'Rudra' during his address at the Kargil War Memorial here on the occasion of the 26th Kargil Vijay Diwas on Saturday. He said the sanction for the brigade was approved just a day earlier, marking a significant step towards strengthening India's operational capabilities. "We are forming a new all-arms brigade under the name 'Rudra'. I approved its sanction just yesterday," said Gen Dwivedi. He said that, "This brigade will integrate infantry, mechanised infantry, tanks, artillery units, special forces, and unmanned aerial systems into a single, cohesive combat formation, supported by dedicated logistics and combat support structures." In a further strategic move, Gen Dwivedi also announced the creation of a cutting-edge special forces unit. "We are raising the 'Bhairav Light Commando Battalion', a highly lethal special forces formation designed to deliver surprise and shock to adversaries at the border. This unit will be equipped with advanced technologies and tactics tailored for high-impact operations." Highlighting modernisation efforts across combat arms, Gen Dwivedi shared that, "Infantry battalions are now being enhanced with drone platoons, while the artillery units will be equipped with 'Divyastra' batteries and loitering munition batteries, significantly boosting the Army's strike capabilities." Every year on July 26, India commemorates Kargil Vijay Diwas, a day etched in the nation's heart with pride and solemn remembrance. It marks the day in 1999 when India successfully concluded Operation Vijay, reclaiming the strategic heights from Pakistani intruders. The Kargil War is a saga of strong political, military, and diplomatic actions. This war will always be remembered for its strategic and tactical surprises, as well as the self-imposed national strategy of restraint that kept the war limited to the Kargil-Siachen sectors and the swiftly executed tri-service military strategy. The Kargil War lasted for more than 60 days and concluded on July 26, 1999, with a gallant victory for India. Indian armed forces successfully reclaimed the command of the high outposts that were treacherously occupied by Pakistani soldiers during the winter months. According to IAF, Operation Safed Sagar, the Indian Air Force's codename for its air operations during the 1999 Kargil War, was a trailblazer in many ways and proved that air power could decisively alter the course of battle without crossing international boundaries. The operation was launched on May 26, 1999, marking the first large-scale use of air power in Kashmir since 1971 and demonstrating the effectiveness of limited air asset use in a localised conflict.
