Drones have reshaped the modern battlefield in ways previously unimaginable. Foot soldiers can now see and strike at targets over the horizon. The Indian Army Ashni drone platoons for infantry battalions and Shaktibaan regiments for the artillery are part of its drive for an agile, tech-infused force capable of multi-domain operations. The decade 2023–2032 has been framed as the "Decade of Transformation". Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi told the media on January 13 that the army hopes to field over 1 lakh drone warriors. 

Fuzing technology has been among the biggest breakthroughs— key to converting dumb munitions like rockets and artillery shells into smart, drone-droppable payloads. A serving Indian Army officer has developed the Tiger Agnibaan Fuze, enabling drone weaponisation. This indigenously designed, developed and manufactured fuze is now seeing widespread induction in the Army. Developed with a private industry partner, the Agnibaan fuze reduces import-dependency. 

“The Tiger Agnibaan increases the soldier’s lethality to strike targets at longer ranges. The operator can rearm the drone whenever he desires at a safe distance. The operator can take the fuse back if he desires to disengage the target,” Colonel Arshdeep told Chakra News.

Colonel Arshdeep is one of seven serving innovators profiled in ‘Anveshak’,  an exclusive bilingual video series on Chakra News. The series profiles innovators who have provided battlefield solutions for the field army. The ‘Seven @ Seventy-Seven’ series was launched on the Chakra News YouTube channel on January 15, 2026, the 78th Army Day. 

An earlier version of the palm-sized Agnibaan fuze used Radio Frequency signals. This was discarded as it was vulnerable to jamming by adversary Electronic Warfare. Colonel Arshdeep’s team integrated the fuze arming commands into the drone’s flight controller— the electronic brain that integrates sensors, software and communication modules to aid drone flight. The EW-resistant fuze has two modes: air burst mode when enemy troops are in the open, and an impact mode with an impact sensor. 

The project has achieved its four aims— to protect drone users,  give them flexibility of use, reduce costs, and minimise inventory. Colonel Arshdeep says the Tiger Agnibaan is weapon-agnostic and can be used in multiple payloads. Once issues like standardised protocol are addressed, implementation becomes easier. Conventional ammunition used by 51 mm mortars, 81 mm mortars and artillery ammunition of various calibres can be upgraded with Agnibaan fuze and converted into lethal drone-dropped payloads. “Frame it, fly it, and we will weaponise it,” Colonel Arshdeep says. 

The Colonel mentions how drones create a soldier-centred ecosystem, providing the means to not just strike beyond-visual-ranges allowing them to not just dominate ground operations but also in the air littoral (ground level to 1000 feet above the ground). With the Agnibaan, the Indian soldier can do this safely and efficiently. 

Watch the full episode:- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xBcJCd-N010

Arjun Dev Singh

Arjun Dev Singh has a deep interest in defence, security, and strategic affairs. With a strong analytical lens and a passion for military and geopolitical developments, Arjun strives to bring clarity and context to complex national and international issues.