Defence Ministry Reports 22 Drone Intrusions Along India's Borders in 2025
22 Drone Intrusions on India's Borders in 2025: Defence Ministry

The Indian Defence Ministry has provided a detailed account of unauthorized drone activities along the nation's sensitive frontiers for the year 2025. In a significant disclosure, the ministry confirmed that a total of 22 drone intrusions were reported across various stretches of the international border.

Breakdown of Intrusions and Geographic Hotspots

The data, presented in response to inquiries, highlights a persistent security challenge. The majority of these incursions, 17 in number, were recorded along the India-Pakistan border. This western frontier remains a primary focus for such illicit aerial activities. The remaining 5 intrusions were detected along the border shared with Bangladesh, indicating a broader geographic spread of the threat.

This official figure underscores the continuous attempts to use unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for cross-border movements, often linked to smuggling and other illegal activities. The government's acknowledgment provides a clear, quantified picture of the scale of the challenge faced by border security forces throughout the year.

Government's Proactive Counter-Drone Strategy

In response to the growing threat, the Ministry of Defence outlined a multi-layered strategy to neutralize drones. The government has empowered security forces with a robust framework to take decisive action against hostile UAVs. The stated policy is clear: "to engage and destroy" any drone identified as hostile within Indian airspace.

This proactive stance is backed by the deployment of advanced anti-drone technology and systems along vulnerable sectors. The arsenal includes electronic warfare tools to jam drone communications, detection radars, and even systems capable of physically intercepting or disabling the unmanned aircraft. The aim is to create a comprehensive defensive grid that can detect, track, and eliminate threats before they can achieve their objectives.

Legal Framework and Future Preparedness

The government's approach is not merely tactical but is also supported by a strengthening legal and policy framework. Continuous efforts are underway to upgrade surveillance infrastructure and integrate newer technologies. The focus is on creating a seamless, tech-enabled shield that can adapt to the evolving capabilities of drones, which are becoming cheaper, more accessible, and harder to detect.

The report for 2025 serves as a critical benchmark for assessing the effectiveness of current measures and planning future investments in border security. It highlights the ongoing cat-and-mouse game between security agencies and those employing drones for nefarious purposes. The data is crucial for parliamentary oversight and public awareness regarding the non-traditional threats to national security.

The revelation of 22 incidents in a single year confirms that drone intrusions are a sustained reality, not an occasional occurrence. It reinforces the necessity for constant vigilance, international cooperation where possible, and the indigenization of cutting-edge counter-drone solutions to safeguard the nation's long and porous borders effectively.