Indian Army Unveils ‘Rudra’ All-Arms Brigades to Strengthen Future Combat Capabilities

Dras, Kargil – July 26: Marking the 26th anniversary of Kargil Vijay Diwas, Indian Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi on Saturday announced the formation of new "Rudra" all-arms brigades, as part of a major thrust towards force modernization and integrated warfare capability.

Addressing a commemorative event at Dras, General Dwivedi outlined the Army’s transformative roadmap to evolve into a more agile, modern, and future-ready force. “Today’s Indian Army is not only meeting current security challenges with strength and resolve, but also advancing rapidly on the path of transformation,” he said.

He revealed that the newly-approved Rudra brigades will comprise integrated fighting elements, including infantry, mechanised infantry, armoured units, artillery, special forces, and unmanned aerial systems (UAS) — all supported by customized logistics and combat support units. “I approved the formation of these brigades yesterday,” the Army chief confirmed.

In another major capability upgrade, General Dwivedi announced the deployment of ‘Bhairav’ Light Commando Battalions, specially trained for high-agility, high-impact operations near the border. He further noted that every infantry battalion has now been equipped with dedicated drone platoons, while artillery units have significantly boosted their firepower through ‘Divyastra’ batteries and loiter munition systems. The Army Air Defence is also being fortified with indigenous missile systems, underscoring the emphasis on self-reliance and indigenization.

According to defence sources, two existing infantry brigades have already been restructured into the new Rudra format — a departure from the conventional arm-specific brigade structure previously employed by the Indian Army.

Operation Sindoor: A Strategic Signal to Pakistan

In a strong message aimed at Pakistan, General Dwivedi invoked Operation Sindoor, India’s retaliatory military strike following the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam, which claimed 26 civilian lives.

“The cowardly terrorist strike at Pahalgam left a deep scar on the nation. But this time, India did not just grieve — it resolved to respond. With the trust of our people and the strategic freedom given by the government, the Indian Army carried out a precise, well-coordinated response,” he said.

On the night of May 6–7, Indian forces struck nine high-value terrorist targets across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK), General Dwivedi confirmed. “This was not merely a retaliation, but a clear message: Those who harbor terrorism will no longer go unpunished.”

As the Indian Army marks over two decades of operational evolution since the Kargil conflict, these latest structural and technological upgrades reinforce its commitment to meeting emerging threats with swift and decisive force.