What Is Rudra Brigade: India’s Future-Ready Military Unit

The Indian Army is forming new Rudra Brigades and Bhairav Battalions to enhance combat readiness along the China and Pakistan borders. Know their structure, purpose, and why they are crucial for future warfare.

Vidhee Tripathi
Jul 27, 2025, 18:21 IST

With the aid of specialized logistical and combat support, the Indian Army is creating all-arms brigades known as "Rudra" that combine infantry, mechanized infantry, armor, artillery, special forces, and unmanned aerial systems. These developments were disclosed by Gen. Upendra Dwivedi, the Chief of the Army Staff, at the Kargil Vijay Diwas at Dras.

Alongside this, agile and lethal ‘Bhairav’ Light Commando Battalions are being developed to deliver swift and sudden strikes along the border. This significant force reorganization aims to improve operational capabilities along the Pakistani and Chinese borders and transform the force into what is being called a future-oriented force.

What is Rudra Brigade?

A variety of regiments or battalions from various arms will make up the Rudra brigades. Sources state that the composition may change based on the duties and operational requirements. Additionally, these would be suitably outfitted with force multipliers such as area saturation weapons and drone surveillance equipment.

For instance, in the plains, it might have a mechanized infantry battalion, an armored regiment, and a self-propelled artillery regiment more equipped for offensive operations, or in the mountains, it might have two infantry battalions and an artillery regiment, according to sources.

Infantry battalions, along with special forces elements, may be used elsewhere; these units are better suited for actions along the Line of Control (LoC).

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Why is the Rudra Brigade Formed?

The creation of the Rudras appears to be a result of the Army's recent efforts to develop the idea of Integrated Battle Groups (IBG). IBG formation is consistent with the Cold Start Doctrine as well.

India declared that any terrorist attack would be regarded as an act of war, marking a significant change in doctrine.

According to sources, the Bhairavs and Rudra Brigades are intended to operationalize this theory by facilitating rapid, multi-axis offensives with integrated weapons.

The Rudra brigades are designed to be operationally adaptable and possess the inherent potential to swiftly, technologically, and lethally deter and respond to a wide range of threats.

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What is a Brigade?

A brigade is usually composed of three infantry battalions or regiments from the armored corps, artillery, or engineers.

  • About 3,000 soldiers make up this force.

  • It is led by a brigadier.

  • The main combatant units are from the same arm, but support units from other arms and services are also attached.

What is a Division?

A division is made up of three brigades.

  • Like brigades, divisions are also arms-specific, such as an infantry division, armored division, or an artillery division.

In military situations powered by information, digitization, automation, precision, and artificial intelligence, Rudra and Bhairav would be able to strike quickly and decisively in modular and multi-domain conflict.

Vidhee Tripathi
Vidhee Tripathi

Content Writer

Vidhee Tripathi completed her PG Diploma degree in Digital Media from Indian Institute of Mass Communication, New Delhi. She is a graduate in Science with chemistry honors from Banaras Hindu University. She has 2 years of experience in various aspects of journalism. She was previously associated with the social media wing of Akashvani. At jagranjosh.com, currently she covers current affairs, national news and international news. She is also associated with the education news section of Jagran Josh.

Certificate: Creative Writing, Problem Solving, Web Content Writing
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