With the advent of time in the drone age, electronic warfare has become considerably more capable than public commentary typically acknowledges. Along with electronic warfare, armour, fortifications, missile defences, electronic warfare and deception have preserved combat power by preserving the force’s freedom to act. This has not only prepared soldiers for potential war, but has also given the military a purpose: to preserve freedom of action through manoeuvrability and to fight in a way that imposes their will. For over a hundred years, different nation always planned and built their militaries with quantity, equipping foot soldiers with body armour so that they could keep fighting even under direct engagement. Later, after armour got technically advanced, equipment to launch in the air or on land was fitted with heavier plating and active defence systems to keep moving while taking fire. In addition, Naval vessels were designed with multiple layers of missile defence so they could function in hostile waters. Now, all the war from face-to-face or without human presence in the armour's launcher, it has shifted to drone technology, reshaping the modern battlefield. Defence industry leaders noted that electronic warfare has moved from a supporting function to a core pillar of national security. In India, the push for indigenous technology has become central to staying ahead of the threat. The rise of cheap, commercially available drone technology has fundamentally altered the calculus of conflict. Capabilities that once demanded expensive missile systems or manned aircraft can now be replicated with a few thousand dollars of off-the-shelf hardware, giving smaller forces and non-state actors access to surveillance, precision-strike, and electronic-warfare capabilities once reserved for major militaries. Industry estimates peg the global military drone market to reach $80–90 billion in annual revenue by 2030.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/wion-exclusive-how-energy-productivity-can-power-india-s-next-phase-of-industrial-growth-1786784297557">WION Exclusive: How can energy productivity power India’s next phase of industrial growth</a><h3>Experts on the rise of drone technology</h3>Reacting to the drone capabilities, "Amardeep Singh, Founder &amp; CEO, Armory," The nature of modern conflict has changed, and the proliferation of drones is at the centre of that shift. What used to require expensive missiles or manned aircraft can now be achieved with a few thousand dollars’ worth of commercial hardware. Today's battlefield is defined by intelligent, low-cost, and highly adaptable unmanned systems capable of surveillance, targeting, precision strikes, and electronic warfare. The global military drone market is projected to generate annual revenues of USD 80-90 billion by 2030. As drones become more sophisticated through frequency-hopping communication, encrypted data links, GPS-denied navigation, and increasingly autonomous flight modes that do not rely on a live signal to the operator at all, counter-drone technologies must evolve even faster to catch up with it all. A hostile drone can go from being detected to causing damage in under a minute. Electronic Warfare systems have to detect, classify, and respond within that same narrow window, putting enormous pressure on the speed of decision-making architecture." "Addressing these evolving threats requires complete ownership of the technology stack rather than dependence on imported subsystems. By designing, developing, and manufacturing our counter-drone systems entirely in Bharat, we, at Armoury, have built the agility to rapidly prototype, test, and deploy new capabilities based on real-time operational feedback. Our flagship system, SURGE, progressed from concept to a fully operational counter-drone platform in just six months, while our AI-driven operating architecture, Samaritan OS, enables autonomous threat detection, analysis, and precision response. As India strengthens its defence capabilities, building sovereign electronic warfare technologies will be essential not only for safeguarding military assets and critical infrastructure but also for positioning the country as a global leader in next-generation defence systems. The future of drone defence will belong to nations that can innovate faster than the threats they face," Singh added. Venkatesh Sai, Founder &amp; CTO of ZUPPA Geo Navigation Technologies, echoed the sentiment about the drones, considering them more valuable and more dangerous after they grow more autonomous and widely accessible. He stated that modern defence forces can no longer rely on simply detecting an incoming drone; they need the ability to identify, track, analyse, and respond in real time. He noted that electronic warfare allows forces to monitor the electromagnetic spectrum and disrupt hostile signals without depending solely on conventional weapons, allowing them to skip unnecessary escalation. Venkatesh Sai said, "The advanced evolution of drone technology has transformed the way nations approach security and modern warfare. Drones have become more intelligent, autonomous, and widely available, making them valuable assets on one hand and potential threats on the other. As this landscape continues to evolve, electronic warfare has become one of the most critical capabilities for ensuring mission success and national security. In today's operational environment, it is no longer enough to simply detect an incoming drone. Defence forces must be able to identify, track, analyse, and respond to threats quickly and accurately. Electronic warfare provides that capability by enabling forces to monitor the electromagnetic spectrum, disrupt hostile communications, and counter drone threats without relying solely on conventional weapons. This not only improves operational efficiency but also reduces the risk of unnecessary escalation." "At Zuppa, we believe that the future of defence lies in building intelligent, secure, and resilient technologies that can adapt to changing battlefield conditions. As drone systems become more advanced, it is equally important to develop electronic warfare solutions that are agile, reliable, and capable of protecting critical assets in real time. Innovation in this space will play a defining role in strengthening defence preparedness. India has made significant progress in developing indigenous defence technologies, and electronic warfare will remain a key focus area as the country advances towards greater self-reliance. Building homegrown capabilities in this domain will not only strengthen national security but also position India as a global technology leader in next-generation defence solutions. The future battlefield will be shaped by information, speed, and technological superiority. Electronic warfare is no longer a supporting capability; now it has become a strategic necessity. By investing in innovation and indigenous technologies today, we can build a safer, stronger, and more secure tomorrow," he added.&nbsp;

The rise of cheap, commercially available drone technology has fundamentally altered the calculus of conflict. Capabilities that once demanded expensive missile systems or manned aircraft can now be replicated with a few thousand dollars of off-the-shelf hardware.

With the advent of time in the drone age, electronic warfare has become considerably more capable than public commentary typically acknowledges. Along with electronic warfare, armour, fortifications, missile defences, electronic warfare and deception have preserved combat power by preserving the force’s freedom to act. This has not only prepared soldiers for potential war, but has also given the military a purpose: to preserve freedom of action through manoeuvrability and to fight in a way that imposes their will. For over a hundred years, different nation always planned and built their militaries with quantity, equipping foot soldiers with body armour so that they could keep fighting even under direct engagement. Later, after armour got technically advanced, equipment to launch in the air or on land was fitted with heavier plating and active defence systems to keep moving while taking fire. In addition, Naval vessels were designed with multiple layers of missile defence so they could function in hostile waters. Now, all the war from face-to-face or without human presence in the armour's launcher, it has shifted to drone technology, reshaping the modern battlefield. Defence industry leaders noted that electronic warfare has moved from a supporting function to a core pillar of national security. In India, the push for indigenous technology has become central to staying ahead of the threat. The rise of cheap, commercially available drone technology has fundamentally altered the calculus of conflict. Capabilities that once demanded expensive missile systems or manned aircraft can now be replicated with a few thousand dollars of off-the-shelf hardware, giving smaller forces and non-state actors access to surveillance, precision-strike, and electronic-warfare capabilities once reserved for major militaries. Industry estimates peg the global military drone market to reach $80–90 billion in annual revenue by 2030. Also read: WION Exclusive: How can energy productivity power India’s next phase of industrial growth Experts on the rise of drone technology Reacting to the drone capabilities, "Amardeep Singh, Founder & CEO, Armory," The nature of modern conflict has changed, and the proliferation of drones is at the centre of that shift. What used to require expensive missiles or manned aircraft can now be achieved with a few thousand dollars’ worth of commercial hardware. Today's battlefield is defined by intelligent, low-cost, and highly adaptable unmanned systems capable of surveillance, targeting, precision strikes, and electronic warfare. The global military drone market is projected to generate annual revenues of USD 80-90 billion by 2030. As drones become more sophisticated through frequency-hopping communication, encrypted data links, GPS-denied navigation, and increasingly autonomous flight modes that do not rely on a live signal to the operator at all, counter-drone technologies must evolve even faster to catch up with it all. A hostile drone can go from being detected to causing damage in under a minute. Electronic Warfare systems have to detect, classify, and respond within that same narrow window, putting enormous pressure on the speed of decision-making architecture." "Addressing these evolving threats requires complete ownership of the technology stack rather than dependence on imported subsystems. By designing, developing, and manufacturing our counter-drone systems entirely in Bharat, we, at Armoury, have built the agility to rapidly prototype, test, and deploy new capabilities based on real-time operational feedback. Our flagship system, SURGE, progressed from concept to a fully operational counter-drone platform in just six months, while our AI-driven operating architecture, Samaritan OS, enables autonomous threat detection, analysis, and precision response. As India strengthens its defence capabilities, building sovereign electronic warfare technologies will be essential not only for safeguarding military assets and critical infrastructure but also for positioning the country as a global leader in next-generation defence systems. The future of drone defence will belong to nations that can innovate faster than the threats they face," Singh added. Venkatesh Sai, Founder & CTO of ZUPPA Geo Navigation Technologies, echoed the sentiment about the drones, considering them more valuable and more dangerous after they grow more autonomous and widely accessible. He stated that modern defence forces can no longer rely on simply detecting an incoming drone; they need the ability to identify, track, analyse, and respond in real time. He noted that electronic warfare allows forces to monitor the electromagnetic spectrum and disrupt hostile signals without depending solely on conventional weapons, allowing them to skip unnecessary escalation. Venkatesh Sai said, "The advanced evolution of drone technology has transformed the way nations approach security and modern warfare. Drones have become more intelligent, autonomous, and widely available, making them valuable assets on one hand and potential threats on the other. As this landscape continues to evolve, electronic warfare has become one of the most critical capabilities for ensuring mission success and national security. In today's operational environment, it is no longer enough to simply detect an incoming drone. Defence forces must be able to identify, track, analyse, and respond to threats quickly and accurately. Electronic warfare provides that capability by enabling forces to monitor the electromagnetic spectrum, disrupt hostile communications, and counter drone threats without relying solely on conventional weapons. This not only improves operational efficiency but also reduces the risk of unnecessary escalation." "At Zuppa, we believe that the future of defence lies in building intelligent, secure, and resilient technologies that can adapt to changing battlefield conditions. As drone systems become more advanced, it is equally important to develop electronic warfare solutions that are agile, reliable, and capable of protecting critical assets in real time. Innovation in this space will play a defining role in strengthening defence preparedness. India has made significant progress in developing indigenous defence technologies, and electronic warfare will remain a key focus area as the country advances towards greater self-reliance. Building homegrown capabilities in this domain will not only strengthen national security but also position India as a global technology leader in next-generation defence solutions. The future battlefield will be shaped by information, speed, and technological superiority. Electronic warfare is no longer a supporting capability; now it has become a strategic necessity. By investing in innovation and indigenous technologies today, we can build a safer, stronger, and more secure tomorrow," he added.

The rise of cheap, commercially available drone technology has fundamentally altered the calculus of conflict. Capabilities that once demanded expensive missile systems or manned aircraft can now be replicated with a few thousand dollars of off-the-shelf hardware.

The growing importance of electronic warfare in the drone age: WION Exclusive

India's defence system is going through a massive paradigm shift as it is likely to order over $2 billion worth of military drones from domestic firms, marking the biggest such purchase. The move comes after global and regional conflicts have boosted demand for high-tech defence equipment. The proposal is at an advanced stage, with deliveries expected to be completed within the next 18 to 24 months. While mainstream attention on defence deals is completely on high-profile drone manufacturers and aircraft startups, the true rush is taking place quietly in the components used to manufacture this technology. Among all critical components, battery technology is becoming the strategic winner in advancing defence technology. The proposed acquisition also includes energy storage systems, battery management technologies and testing infrastructure. An expert indicated that batteries are emerging as a key player in the modern drone operations, directly influencing flight timing, payload capacity, operational reliability and mission readiness. "India's planned $2 billion drone procurement is not just a boost for drone manufacturers—it is a catalyst for the entire defence technology supply chain. Batteries are emerging as one of the most critical technologies in modern unmanned systems because they directly determine flight endurance, mission reliability, payload capability, and operational readiness. As drones become integral to surveillance, logistics, precision strike, and autonomous operations, the demand for high-performance, safe, and mission-critical energy systems will grow exponentially," Kajal Shah, Co-founder &amp; CEO, Dreamfly Innovations. "For India to build a truly self-reliant drone ecosystem, the country must also develop indigenous capabilities in advanced battery systems, battery management electronics, testing infrastructure, and energy storage technologies. We believe the next phase of India's defence-tech growth will be driven by companies that can deliver reliable energy platforms capable of meeting military-grade performance standards at scale," She added. Other experts also observed that India's focus on self-reliance in defence manufacturing is increasingly moving beyond platforms and hardware to include the technology that powers the drones, missiles or components used in aircraft. Highlighting the importance of this critical equipment in defence applications, Saurabh Markandeya, Co-founder and CTO of Dreamfly Innovations, said, "Every major shift in defence technology has been enabled by advancements in energy systems. Today's drone revolution is no different. While drones often capture the headlines, batteries are the invisible technology that powers every mission. Whether it is a surveillance drone operating in high-altitude environments, a logistics platform carrying critical supplies, or a tactical system deployed in demanding battlefield conditions, performance ultimately depends on the quality and reliability of the energy system onboard." Experts also believe that the demand for high-performance batteries capable of performing under any conditions will continue to rise as drones become central to surveillance, logistics, reconnaissance and tactical operations. The decision of the government to make deals with Indian manufacturers is also likely to benefit the domestic clean-energy and battery ecosystem, making the country self-reliance on this sector.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/why-india-may-need-russian-su-57s-before-its-indigenous-amca-project-takes-flight-wion-decodes-1780666620969">Why India may need Russian Su-57s before its indigenous AMCA project takes flight? WION decodes</a><h3>Drones are an indispensable part of warfare</h3>Commenting on the development, Saurabh Jain, CExO Energy Storage at GEON, Green Energy On, said, "India’s recent procurement of more than US$2 billion worth of military drones from local manufacturers is indeed an important move towards ensuring greater security for the nation. With drones becoming an indispensable part of warfare and security missions, there is no doubt that the technologies used to power the drones will need equal attention. Batteries and energy technologies will be crucial in the success of drone technology." "This move by the government to procure drones from Indian manufacturers is indicative of its determination to ensure the self-sufficiency of the nation in its technology production and thereby enhancing its defence capabilities. This will be of immense benefit to India as it would give a boost to the indigenous technology industry of the nation," he added.&nbsp;Labelling the batteries as the engine of the drones, Udyut Goyal, Head, Business Development, AmpereHour Energy, highlighted that the component directly influences the flight time of the drones, their recharge cycles, payload capacity, and operational capacity, helping the drones to deliver effectiveness.&nbsp;“Drones play a critical role in India’s defence-tech system, where they are viewed through the lens of airframes and software, but no matter how advanced a drone is, it is imperative to remember that ultimately, its engine is the battery. India invests a lot in its defence technology, so for the optimal use and operational efficiency of drones, we have to ensure a reliable battery system powers them. Batteries directly influence the flight time of the drones, their recharge cycles, payload capacity, and operational capacity, which helps us determine the mission’s effectiveness. Batteries are not just a supporting technology here, but they are, in fact, a strategic component,” he said.&nbsp;“With the growth of drone deployment in defence applications, there will be an increase in the demand for high-performance, lightweight, durable, and domestically developed energy storage solutions. This will allow India to make more innovations and strengthen its capabilities in the battery value chain and be less dependent on imported critical technologies. Beyond defence, too, India will benefit across various sectors such as electric mobility, renewable energy integration, and industrial energy storage. &nbsp;India’s drone push isn’t just a catalyst for defence-tech’s growth, but also for the development of a stronger, more self-reliant energy technology ecosystem, ” Goyal added. India has over 600 companies manufacturing drones along with their components, with more than 100 focused on defence applications. The large players for these technologies include companies like Adani Group, Larsen &amp; Toubro and Tata Advanced Systems, to startups like Dreamfly Innovations, ideaForge, Newspace Research and Asteria Aerospace. They focus on building reconnaissance, loitering munitions, logistics, precision-strike and critical component systems. In addition, the defence ministry has also opened more areas of procurement to startups and private firms, which has eased the testing process and pushed the armed forces to add systems through repeat and interim orders that allow these firms to refine their products rapidly. The best part is that, along with a breakthrough in a drone's battery, the development directly accelerates innovations in Commercial logistics and agricultural drones, Electric vehicles (EVs) and Renewable energy storage systems (BESS).

Drone battery technology is becoming the strategic winner in advancing defence technology. The proposed acquisition of military drones also includes energy storage systems, battery management technologies and testing infrastructure.

India's defence system is going through a massive paradigm shift as it is likely to order over $2 billion worth of military drones from domestic firms, marking the biggest such purchase. The move comes after global and regional conflicts have boosted demand for high-tech defence equipment. The proposal is at an advanced stage, with deliveries expected to be completed within the next 18 to 24 months. While mainstream attention on defence deals is completely on high-profile drone manufacturers and aircraft startups, the true rush is taking place quietly in the components used to manufacture this technology. Among all critical components, battery technology is becoming the strategic winner in advancing defence technology. The proposed acquisition also includes energy storage systems, battery management technologies and testing infrastructure. An expert indicated that batteries are emerging as a key player in the modern drone operations, directly influencing flight timing, payload capacity, operational reliability and mission readiness. "India's planned $2 billion drone procurement is not just a boost for drone manufacturers—it is a catalyst for the entire defence technology supply chain. Batteries are emerging as one of the most critical technologies in modern unmanned systems because they directly determine flight endurance, mission reliability, payload capability, and operational readiness. As drones become integral to surveillance, logistics, precision strike, and autonomous operations, the demand for high-performance, safe, and mission-critical energy systems will grow exponentially," Kajal Shah, Co-founder & CEO, Dreamfly Innovations. "For India to build a truly self-reliant drone ecosystem, the country must also develop indigenous capabilities in advanced battery systems, battery management electronics, testing infrastructure, and energy storage technologies. We believe the next phase of India's defence-tech growth will be driven by companies that can deliver reliable energy platforms capable of meeting military-grade performance standards at scale," She added. Other experts also observed that India's focus on self-reliance in defence manufacturing is increasingly moving beyond platforms and hardware to include the technology that powers the drones, missiles or components used in aircraft. Highlighting the importance of this critical equipment in defence applications, Saurabh Markandeya, Co-founder and CTO of Dreamfly Innovations, said, "Every major shift in defence technology has been enabled by advancements in energy systems. Today's drone revolution is no different. While drones often capture the headlines, batteries are the invisible technology that powers every mission. Whether it is a surveillance drone operating in high-altitude environments, a logistics platform carrying critical supplies, or a tactical system deployed in demanding battlefield conditions, performance ultimately depends on the quality and reliability of the energy system onboard." Experts also believe that the demand for high-performance batteries capable of performing under any conditions will continue to rise as drones become central to surveillance, logistics, reconnaissance and tactical operations. The decision of the government to make deals with Indian manufacturers is also likely to benefit the domestic clean-energy and battery ecosystem, making the country self-reliance on this sector. Also read: Why India may need Russian Su-57s before its indigenous AMCA project takes flight? WION decodes Drones are an indispensable part of warfare Commenting on the development, Saurabh Jain, CExO Energy Storage at GEON, Green Energy On, said, "India’s recent procurement of more than US$2 billion worth of military drones from local manufacturers is indeed an important move towards ensuring greater security for the nation. With drones becoming an indispensable part of warfare and security missions, there is no doubt that the technologies used to power the drones will need equal attention. Batteries and energy technologies will be crucial in the success of drone technology." "This move by the government to procure drones from Indian manufacturers is indicative of its determination to ensure the self-sufficiency of the nation in its technology production and thereby enhancing its defence capabilities. This will be of immense benefit to India as it would give a boost to the indigenous technology industry of the nation," he added. Labelling the batteries as the engine of the drones, Udyut Goyal, Head, Business Development, AmpereHour Energy, highlighted that the component directly influences the flight time of the drones, their recharge cycles, payload capacity, and operational capacity, helping the drones to deliver effectiveness. “Drones play a critical role in India’s defence-tech system, where they are viewed through the lens of airframes and software, but no matter how advanced a drone is, it is imperative to remember that ultimately, its engine is the battery. India invests a lot in its defence technology, so for the optimal use and operational efficiency of drones, we have to ensure a reliable battery system powers them. Batteries directly influence the flight time of the drones, their recharge cycles, payload capacity, and operational capacity, which helps us determine the mission’s effectiveness. Batteries are not just a supporting technology here, but they are, in fact, a strategic component,” he said. “With the growth of drone deployment in defence applications, there will be an increase in the demand for high-performance, lightweight, durable, and domestically developed energy storage solutions. This will allow India to make more innovations and strengthen its capabilities in the battery value chain and be less dependent on imported critical technologies. Beyond defence, too, India will benefit across various sectors such as electric mobility, renewable energy integration, and industrial energy storage. India’s drone push isn’t just a catalyst for defence-tech’s growth, but also for the development of a stronger, more self-reliant energy technology ecosystem, ” Goyal added. India has over 600 companies manufacturing drones along with their components, with more than 100 focused on defence applications. The large players for these technologies include companies like Adani Group, Larsen & Toubro and Tata Advanced Systems, to startups like Dreamfly Innovations, ideaForge, Newspace Research and Asteria Aerospace. They focus on building reconnaissance, loitering munitions, logistics, precision-strike and critical component systems. In addition, the defence ministry has also opened more areas of procurement to startups and private firms, which has eased the testing process and pushed the armed forces to add systems through repeat and interim orders that allow these firms to refine their products rapidly. The best part is that, along with a breakthrough in a drone's battery, the development directly accelerates innovations in Commercial logistics and agricultural drones, Electric vehicles (EVs) and Renewable energy storage systems (BESS).

Drone battery technology is becoming the strategic winner in advancing defence technology. The proposed acquisition of military drones also includes energy storage systems, battery management technologies and testing infrastructure.

India's $2 billion drone push: Why batteries could be biggest winner in defence-tech boom

india-drone-technology

India Drone Technology, News on India Drone Technology, stories on India Drone Technology, articles on India Drone Technology, India Drone Technology stories at Wion, India Drone Technology news, India Drone Technology latest news

india drone-technology

The growing importance of electronic warfare in the drone age: WION Exclusive

India's $2b drone push: Why batteries could be biggest winner in defence-tech