New Chief, New Era: Inside the Indian Army's Tech-Driven Future

A Change of Guard at a Pivotal Moment

The Indian Army is set to welcome a new leader at its helm. Lt General Dhiraj Seth will take over as the next Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) on June 30, 2026, succeeding General Upendra Dwivedi upon his superannuation. This transition in leadership is not merely a routine handover; it comes at a time when the world's second-largest army is undergoing a profound transformation, shifting its focus towards technology-intensive warfare and strategic modernization.

Who is Lt Gen Dhiraj Seth?

Commissioned into the Armoured Corps in December 1986, Lt Gen Seth brings nearly four decades of extensive operational and strategic experience to the top post. An alumnus of the National Defence Academy (NDA), he has commanded at various levels, including an Armoured Regiment in the desert sector and a Counter-Insurgency Force in Jammu and Kashmir. Notably, he will be the first officer from the Armoured Corps to become Army Chief in over three decades, a significant detail for an institution that has often seen infantry officers in the top role. His career has been marked by a deep involvement in operational planning, force management, and capability development, making him a key figure in the army's long-term transformation efforts.

The Legacy of Transformation: Drones Take Centre Stage

The outgoing chief, General Upendra Dwivedi, leaves behind a significant push towards modern warfare, a direction also championed by his predecessor, General Manoj Pande. A central pillar of this transformation is the aggressive integration of unmanned aerial systems (UAS), or drones, into the army's operational fabric. This focus is crystallised in one of Gen Dwivedi's final major announcements: the creation of specialised 'Baaz' battalions.

Enter the 'Baaz' Battalions

The establishment of 'Baaz' (Hindi for Hawk) battalions marks a strategic shift in how the army manages its drone capabilities. These specialised units, placed under the Army Aviation Corps, are designed to operate long-range drones for sustained surveillance and precision strikes. According to the army, these battalions will create a dedicated pool of experts to manage the entire lifecycle of Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA), from deployment and maintenance to data analysis and integration with ground forces.

This initiative is part of a broader strategy to enhance the army's Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities. The 'Baaz' battalions will handle sophisticated platforms, including those sourced from the US and Israel, as well as locally produced UAVs, enabling deep-penetration surveillance and border monitoring. They are distinct from the tactical 'Ashini' drone platoons within infantry units, which are used for immediate surveillance.

Why It Matters: A Future-Ready Force

The Indian Army's intensified focus on technology is a direct response to the changing character of modern warfare. Recent global conflicts have unequivocally demonstrated that dominance in the unmanned domain is crucial for battlefield success. The push for drone warfare, AI integration, and electronic warfare systems is a core component of the army's 'Decade of Transformation' (2023-2032).

This drive aligns with several key objectives:

• Enhanced Border Surveillance: With persistent tensions along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China and the Line of Control (LoC) with Pakistan, advanced ISR capabilities provided by drones are non-negotiable.
• Atmanirbharta in Defence: The modernization push heavily emphasizes indigenous technology, aligning with the government's 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' (self-reliant India) policy.
• Force Modernization: The army is moving beyond simply acquiring new equipment to fundamentally restructuring its forces to be more agile, integrated, and technology-enabled. The drone inventory, for instance, has reportedly grown from a few hundred to over 50,000 in the last two years, with plans to double that number soon.

As Lt Gen Seth takes command, his primary challenge will be to maintain the momentum of this technological infusion. He will need to steer the integration of these new systems, oversee the establishment of proposed theatre commands, and ensure that the Indian Army remains a formidable force capable of navigating the complex security challenges of the 21st century.

The bottom line

The change at the top of the Indian Army is more than a ceremonial transition. It signifies a continued commitment to building a future-ready military, where technology, particularly unmanned systems, is no longer just an asset but the very core of its warfighting doctrine. The success of initiatives like the 'Baaz' battalions under the new leadership will be a key determinant of India's military preparedness in the years to come.