New Delhi: In a significant boost to India’s combat capabilities, the Indian Army is fast-tracking the induction of its newly conceptualized ‘Bhairav Battalions’, compact and high-impact units designed to bridge the gap between conventional infantry and special forces. The Army has confirmed that five battalions are already undergoing field training, while 25 in total will be operational within the next six months.
Announced by the Army Chief on Vijay Diwas, the Bhairav units represent a modern, multi-domain combat force built around agility, precision, and technology. The first batch began on-the-job training on October 1, which is expected to conclude by the end of the month, following which the battalions will be fully mission-ready.
Lt. Gen. Ajay Kumar Singh, Director General of Infantry, explained that each Bhairav battalion will consist of around 250 personnel a force structured between a traditional infantry and special forces unit in both size and capability. “Another four battalions will commence field training next month, marking the second phase of deployment. In total, we aim to have 25 battalions operational within six months,” he stated.
Equipped with lightweight disposable weapon systems, a fleet of surveillance and attack drones, and anti-aircraft and precision-guided artillery, the Bhairav Battalions are designed to operate autonomously in challenging terrains. Their mission focus includes counter-insurgency, border patrol, and deep-strike operations inside contested zones.
“These are lean, mean, and agile units meant to fill the operational space between large infantry battalions of 800–900 soldiers and smaller special forces teams,” Lt. Gen. Singh added. “They are capable of conducting surprise offensives and neutralizing key enemy assets in difficult environments.”
The Bhairav Battalions also integrate drone platoons, loitering munitions, and AI-assisted surveillance systems to enhance situational awareness and strike precision. Their structure allows for quick deployment, independent action, and high mobility key requirements in modern, fast-evolving battlefields.
The move is part of the Army’s broader ‘Decade of Transformation’ initiative, which aims to modernize force structures and warfare doctrine. Alongside Bhairav Battalions, the Army is also operationalizing other futuristic units and concepts such as ‘Rudra Brigades’, ‘ShaktiBaan’, and ‘Divyastra’, each focusing on specialized combat roles in India’s evolving defense architecture.
With the induction of Bhairav Battalions, the Indian Army aims to strengthen its ability to conduct swift, precise, and technology-driven operations, redefining the contours of modern warfare in the region.
