Indian Army Validates Manned-Unmanned Teaming in Exercise SARVSHAKTI

Updated April 8th 2025, 14:14 IST

The Indian Army has field-validated Manned-Unmanned Teaming (MUM-T) for the first time during Exercise SARVSHAKTI in Sikkim. With Chinese infrastructure rapidly expanding across the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and hybrid warfare becoming the new norm, the Indian Army has quietly crossed a significant milestone.

During the high-octane Exercise SARVSHAKTI, conducted by the Trishakti Corps in Sikkim, the Army validated the use of Manned-Unmanned Teaming (MUM-T) in a live tactical environment. For the first time at this scale, traditional manned platforms operated in tandem with drones, autonomous sensors, and AI-backed decision tools—offering a glimpse of what future battlefields might actually look like. MUM-T is no longer a theory or R&D showcase—it’s now a field-validated Indian capability.

The exercise was aimed at preparing formations for Multi-Domain Operations (MDO), where land, air, cyber, and electronic warfare domains converge in real-time. Lt Gen Zubin A Minwalla, GOC Trishakti Corps, emphasized, “This is not just about technology. This is about transforming the Indian soldier into a digitally networked combatant.”

AI-Driven Warfare: Not the Future—The Now

From live reconnaissance to target acquisition, unmanned aerial systems fed real-time data into AI engines that processed battlefield variables faster than humanly possible. The result was clear: enhanced situational awareness, rapid-fire decision loops, and minimal delays in retaliation. Army officials confirmed that this is the closest Indian ground forces have come to fully realizing a sensor-to-shooter loop at the tactical level.

Unmanned systems were not flying solo—they were integrated directly with infantry columns, vehicle convoys, and battlefield commanders through secure communication networks. This integration allowed commanders on the ground to get a drone’s eye view, AI-assisted threat analysis, and weapons alignment feedback without ever breaking formation.

FPV Drones Go Lethal: Indian Army Tests Kamikaze Tech in Pathankot

While SARVSHAKTI dominated the headlines in the east, a smaller but equally disruptive development occurred in Pathankot. The Fleur-De-Lis Brigade, under the Western Command, successfully field-tested an FPV (First Person View) drone equipped with kamikaze-role anti-tank munitions.

Equipped with an impact-triggered payload and remote-operable targeting, the drone was flown through a complex obstacle course before neutralizing a mock armored vehicle. This achievement marks a shift towards "swarm warfare" and asymmetric drone tactics, increasingly seen in theatres like Ukraine and the Middle East.

Why This Matters: Beyond Optics, Toward Reform

SARVSHAKTI and the FPV drone tests represent a mindset shift within the Indian Army. The move towards integrating advanced technologies like MUM-T and kamikaze drones signals a departure from traditional hierarchical structures and platform-heavy doctrines.

India's pivot to such disruptive tech is timely, with a focus on proactive, field-tested, and scalable solutions. The indigenous development of drones, software integrations, and soldier training signifies a victory in defense modernization.

Next Steps: Scaling MUM-T, Swarm Tech, and Tactical AI

Army sources confirm that SARVSHAKTI is part of a larger plan to institutionalize MUM-T in all forward-deployed Corps by 2026. The plan includes acquiring FPV drones with jamming-resistant capabilities, using AI-generated combat scenarios during training, and establishing automated logistics nodes for high-altitude warfare.

As China continues to deploy advanced technologies along the LAC, India’s proactive approach towards integrating disruptive tech is crucial. Lt Gen Minwalla summarized the significance by stating, “In SARVSHAKTI, we didn’t just use drones. We proved that the Indian soldier can dominate the battlefield with them.”