India assesses readiness for emerging drone warfare, defence experts say

India's defence preparedness for modern aerial threats, including drone warfare, came under scrutiny at the India Today Conclave South 2026, where the country's leading defence experts deliberated on strengthening military self-sufficiency.

During a session focused on India's defence autonomy, Dr. D. Seshagiri, a senior scientist at the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), underscored the technological strides made by Indian defence systems. He noted that India's homegrown radar technology has demonstrated capabilities comparable to, if not superior to, Israeli counterparts in tracking and monitoring aerial platforms.

Dr. Seshagiri cited operational successes in high-altitude surveillance, stating that Indian radar systems have successfully tracked Chinese aircraft operating over the Himalayan region. The demonstration of such capabilities at significant elevations highlights India's growing proficiency in indigenous defence technologies.

The conclave's focus on defence self-reliance comes as India intensifies efforts to reduce dependence on foreign military equipment and develop domestically-engineered solutions. Experts at the gathering stressed the importance of indigenous innovation in addressing emerging security challenges, including the evolving threat landscape posed by unmanned aerial systems and modern warfare tactics.