‘Track All Drone Firms, Enforce No-Fly Zones’: Ex-Army Chief Warns as Threat Grows

Former Indian Army Chief General M.M. Naravane has cautioned that the entire country must now be treated as a potential battlefield, given the evolving nature of warfare. His comments follow Ukraine’s dramatic June 1 attack, where 117 drones, disguised as construction material, were smuggled into Russia and used in a coordinated strike.

General Naravane stressed the urgent need for strict monitoring of all drone manufacturing firms and the declaration of no-fly zones around sensitive installations and urban areas. He warned that drones are no longer limited to combat zones and could be deployed anywhere, making civilian and strategic locations equally vulnerable. The former chief also highlighted the challenges of regulating drone use in peacetime, calling for updated policies, enhanced surveillance systems, and tighter border security to prevent similar threats. His remarks underline the importance of comprehensive national preparedness in the era of drone warfare.