India’s Convergence of Modern Warfare and Ancient Mythological Wisdom.
India is transforming its defense capabilities by integrating ancient wisdom with cutting-edge military innovation. The Indian Army’s “Decade of Transformation (2023–2032)” centers on “Shaktiban” and “Divyastra,” concepts representing advanced artillery units, operational doctrines, and echoing divine weapons and ethical principles from Hindu mythology.
The Modern Military Context
Spearheaded by Chief of Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi, the “Decade of Transformation” (2023–2032) is a comprehensive restructuring of the Indian Army. It aims to integrate traditional strengths with modern warfare capabilities to dominate in a complex global security landscape.
The creation of Shaktiban regiments and Divyastra batteries exemplifies this vision, incorporating lessons from recent global conflicts and the rise of unmanned systems. The Army plans to operationalize its first drone-integrated artillery regiments and light commando battalions by late October 2025.
Shaktiban Regiments: Spearhead of Drone Warfare
“Shaktiban units” or “Shaktiban regiments” represent the Indian Army’s embrace of purely technological formations. The name “Shaktiban,” meaning “arrow of power” in Sanskrit, signifies a precise instrument of contemporary combat. These regiments are designed to operate exclusively with drones and loitering munitions for “see-and-strike” missions.
Precision Strike
Equipped with swarm drones and long-range UAVs, Shaktiban units can strike targets from 5 km to 500 km, filling a strategic gap in precision operations.
Indigenous Tech
Equipping heavily emphasizes indigenous production, with fast-track tenders for loitering munitions awarded to Indian industries.
- ✓ Advanced Drone Integration: Specialized batteries with enhanced weapon numbers.
- ✓ Counter-Drone Operations: Hard-kill and soft-kill capabilities to neutralize aerial threats.
- ✓ “Shoot-and-Scoot” Mobility: Rapid repositioning to evade counter-battery fire.
Divyastra Batteries: Hybrid Firepower
“Divyastra Batteries” are hybrid formations combining traditional artillery guns with drones and loitering munitions. The name “Divyastra,” meaning “weapon of the divine,” reflects their aim for near-divine precision. These batteries are designed to improve artillery’s effectiveness through hybrid precision attacks.
Strategic Impact & Synergies
Deep Strike Capability
Enhanced ability to conduct strikes against high-value targets, degrading enemy logistics and air defense.
Personnel Safety
Reliance on unmanned systems significantly reduces the exposure of human soldiers to direct combat risks.
Asymmetric Advantage
A distinct advantage against adversaries relying on conventional forces through integrated drone-centric warfare.
The Mythological Resonance
The Indian Army’s choice of names like Shaktiban and Divyastra symbolizes not just destructive capability but also the moral and spiritual dimensions associated with wielding great power. In Hindu mythology, a Divyastra is a divine instrument of war, imbued with spiritual powers by a presiding deity.
Brahmastra
Presided over by Lord Brahma, capable of widespread devastation.
Pashupatastra
Granted by Lord Shiva, capable of vanquishing all beings.
Sudarshana Chakra
Lord Vishnu’s spinning disc, guaranteeing ultimate victory.
Gandiva
Arjuna’s celestial bow, unleashing a barrage of simultaneous arrows.
Ethical Frameworks: Dharmayuddha
Mythological Divyastras were governed by strict moral guidelines, emphasizing Dharmayuddha (righteous war). These ancient texts offer a framework for modern discussions on responsible weapon use.
“Divyastras were intended for deploying only when the balance of dharma was at stake, never out of anger or for personal gain. True victory was moral, achieved through restraint and adherence to ethical codes.”
Purpose over Power Proportionality Restraint
Conclusion
The evolution from mythological ‘Divyastras’ to contemporary Shaktiban Divyastra units represents a profound narrative where ancient wisdom converges with modern military doctrine.
The Shaktiban Divyastra stands as a powerful emblem of a modern India – innovative, self-reliant, and deeply connected to its civilizational heritage, ready to face 21st-century challenges with wisdom and might.
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