Indian Army’s New Electronic Warfare Brigades: Indian Army to get EW Brigades along borders The Indian Army is in the process of forming specific Electronic Warfare (EW) Brigades that will be deployed along its western and northern borders with Pakistan and China in the coming months. The move underlines the increasing focus of the country on technology-driven warfare where control of the electromagnetic spectrum is emerging as critical as firepower on the ground.
The specialised EW Brigades which will be based on the British-style divisional structure, will operate and manage electronic systems used for intercepting enemy communications, targeting radar, jamming enemy aircraft. It includes Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), disabling Command, Control, Communications, and Intelligence (C3I) networks.
They will also support the field army formations by providing them real-time electronic intelligence of enemy deployments. It also involves actions in operational areas along the Line of Control (LoC) and International Border with Pakistan, as well as the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China.
Indian Army’s New Electronic Warfare Brigades
At present, EW capabilities are being managed by specialized units within Corps of Signals in Indian Army but the new structures will bring in dedicated Brigades to conduct both offensive and defensive electronic warfare missions in their respective sectors. EW in modern day warfare has come to a point where victory in battle now often hinges on domination of the air as well as spectrum.
It allows forces to ‘see’ through’ enemy’s eyes by intercepting communications; disrupt electronic battle by confusing and deceiving enemy electronics, create electronic battlefield blind spots, jam signals of communication equipment as well as navigation and jamming aircraft.
Some of the systems expected to be working on the new brigardes are EW system developed under an indigenous drive. It is upgraded Dharashakti EW system developed by DRDO and manufactured by BEL along with other industry partners. The Defence Acquisition Council approved a programme worth nearly ₹5,150 crore in 2025 to significantly enhance the system’s capabilities.
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Supporting India’s Multi-Domain Warfare Vision
According to available information, the upgraded system demonstrated the ability to detect, analyse and neutralise drone threats at distances of up to 150 kilometres during joint military exercises. The Ministry of Defence has also placed contracts worth ₹1,476 crore for advanced mobile ground-based electronic warfare systems designed to operate alongside combat formations, including in high-altitude areas near the China border.
The Electronic Warfare Brigades will function as force multipliers by providing intelligence support to artillery, air defence, missile units and strike formations. Their ability to continuously monitor radio, radar and digital emissions will allow commanders to identify high-value enemy assets and coordinate precision strikes with greater speed and accuracy.
