Drones are no more eyes in the sky, they are claws in the sky, says IAF Chief

Chief of Indian Air Force (IAF) Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh on Thursday (May 14, 2026) highlighted the growing role of drones and unmanned systems in modern warfare, asserting that unmanned aerial systems (UAS) are no longer merely surveillance tools but have become offensive assets shaping the future battlefield.

Addressing a joint seminar and exhibition on UAS organised by the Centre for Aerospace Power and Strategic Studies and Indian Military Review, the IAF Chief said, “There are no more eyes in the sky; there are claws in the sky now,” underlining the lethal potential of drones witnessed in recent global conflicts and during Operation Sindoor.

The Air Chief stated that unmanned systems are an extension of air power, and all traditional principles of air warfare continue to apply to drone operations. He noted that the battlefield is rapidly evolving from concentrated air power towards a more decentralised and autonomous approach.

Calling counter-UAS operations a “cat-and-mouse game,” ACM Singh stressed that advances in drone technology must be matched simultaneously by improvements in defensive systems. “It cannot always be force versus force; it has to be force versus defence and vice versa,” he said.

India‘s performance during Operation Sindoor

Referring to Operation Sindoor, the Air Chief said India performed reasonably well due to effective coordination among various defence elements. According to him, none of the adversary’s weapon systems or UAS were able to hit their intended targets during the operation.

He emphasised that drones and counter-drone systems are no longer futuristic concepts but present-day realities transforming military operations across the world. ACM Singh also pointed out that reduced risk to human lives and lower operational costs make drones increasingly attractive for modern armed forces.

The seminar brought together military officials, defence experts and industry stakeholders to deliberate on emerging trends in unmanned warfare and the growing importance of indigenous counter-UAS capabilities in India’s defence preparedness.

He added that UAS are always talked about, but unmanned systems in other domains are not talked about enough. “We are moving towards robotic war; human life cannot be a cost. Everybody is working towards it. There’s a need to innovate at the speed of relevance because system has to come in before it becomes irrelevant,” he said.