On the solemn occasion of Kargil Vijay Diwas, Indian Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi unveiled a transformative step in India’s military evolution, the formation of new ‘Rudra’ All-Arms Brigades, signaling a future-focused and integrated combat structure for the armed forces.
Addressing the nation from the Kargil War Memorial in Drass, General Dwivedi paid tribute to the heroes of the 1999 war and emphasized how the Indian Army has not only kept pace with modern warfare but is actively reshaping itself into a formidable and tech-enabled force, fully prepared for emerging challenges.
‘Today’s Indian Army is not just prepared for current threats, it’s rapidly becoming a modern, agile, and decisive force. Under this vision, I have approved the formation of integrated all-arms brigades named ‘Rudra’, he declared.
What Are ‘Rudra’ Brigades?
Unlike the traditional single-arm brigades, Rudra Brigades will bring together the best of infantry, mechanised infantry, armored units, artillery, drones, special forces, and logistics, into one cohesive and responsive battle group. These combined arms units are designed for rapid deployment, higher synergy in combat, and unmatched lethality.
In addition to Rudra, the Army is also raising ‘Bhairav’ Light Commando Battalions- agile, lethal units specially designed for cross-border and quick-response operations.
‘We’ve added Drone Platoons to every infantry battalion, Divyastra and Loiter Munition Batteries to artillery, and modern indigenous missile systems to Army Air Defence. This evolution is not incremental, it’s transformational,’ General Dwivedi noted with pride.
According to defence sources, two infantry brigades have already been converted into Rudra formations, signaling that the shift is well underway.
Message to Pakistan: Terrorism Will Be Punished
In a powerful moment of his address, General Dwivedi referenced Operation Sindoor, describing it as India’s precision strike on terror camps across the border as a clear warning to Pakistan.
‘The Pahalgam attack that claimed 26 innocent lives was not just mourned, it was avenged. On the night of May 6–7, our forces hit nine high-value terrorist targets in Pakistan and PoJK with surgical precision, sparing civilian life but striking terror at its root,’ he said.
This operation, he emphasized, was not just retaliation, but a message, ‘Those who shelter terrorists will no longer escape consequences.’
Kargil to Sindoor: The Journey of a Transformed Force
As India marked 26 years since the Kargil War, the Army Chief’s speech echoed the transition of India’s defence forces from a grit-driven, resource-stretched force in 1999 to a highly coordinated, tech-enabled military power today.
From recapturing the icy peaks of Tololing and Tiger Hill in 1999 to precision cross-border strikes in 2024, the Indian Army stands tall as the protector of Bharat’s sovereignty and honour.
With Rudra Brigades blazing a new path forward and Operation Sindoor sending a firm geopolitical signal, India’s message to the world is clear: we will defend, we will deter, and we will dominate when provoked.