Boosting Combat Readiness: Indian Army to Field 25 Bhairav Battalions in Six Months

Each Bhairav battalion will comprise roughly 250 personnel drawn from multiple arms, including infantry, artillery, signals, and air defence, making them integrated and self-sustaining fighting formations. Unlike conventional infantry battalions, these units are designed to be lean, mobile, and capable of independent operations. The concept aims to bridge the gap between the Army’s regular infantry and its elite Special Forces, offering a flexible force for quick deployment and high-intensity missions.

According to Lt Gen Ajay Kumar, Director General of Infantry, the first Bhairav battalion will be fully ready for deployment by November 1, 2025, and the rest will follow in quick succession. This accelerated timeline reflects the Army’s push to build small, mission-ready units that can deliver decisive results in limited-scope operations.

While the move has been widely welcomed as a step toward modernising India’s ground forces, experts caution that raising 25 new battalions in such a short period will pose challenges in training, equipment, and inter-arm coordination. Integrating soldiers from diverse arms into unified fighting teams requires strong leadership and refined command structures. However, once fully operational, the Bhairav battalions are expected to significantly boost the Army’s ability to respond swiftly to emerging threats and conduct offensive and defensive operations with greater autonomy.