Why IAF Doesn't Want a Separate Drone Force: Air Chief Explains

Drone technology has emerged as a transformative tool globally over the past two decades. In India's defence setup, drones perform several roles, including border surveillance, intelligence gathering and precision strikes.

They also operate alongside air defence systems, radar networks and command centres to protect critical infrastructure and enable rapid responses to threats.

However, the Indian Air Force (IAF) does not see the need to create a separate force dedicated to drones, even as it expands the number of unmanned systems and loitering munitions in its arsenal, IAF chief Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh said on Saturday.

According to the Air Chief, drones should operate as part of the existing military setup alongside other weapon systems rather than function as a separate force.

“Whether we need a separate drone force, I don't think so. They should be a part of the same setup, and we have to be operating together,” Singh said.

He described the emergence of drones in the IAF as an evolutionary rather than revolutionary development.

“Drones are not revolutionary to the Indian Air Force, but evolutionary. We are growing the number of drones and loitering munitions,” he said.

Singh stressed that drones need to operate alongside other weapons to produce the required effect rather than function independently.
“We cannot be operating one type of weapon separately somewhere, and another type of weapon separately,” the Air Chief said.
The IAF has therefore not considered establishing a separate drone force, he added.

According to a defence ministry release, the IAF considers unmanned systems an important complement to manned aviation. Such systems provide commanders additional options and can improve the reach, persistence, responsiveness and flexibility of air operations.