India Builds First Dedicated Drone Runway in Meerut After Op Sindoor

• India is constructing its first dedicated drone and Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) runway in Meerut, a major security upgrade post Operation Sindoor.
• The Indian Army base will span over 900 acres, with the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) initiating the Rs 406-crore project.
• The base will feature a 2,110-meter-long runway, two large hangars, and ICAO CAT-II compliant lighting for all-weather operations.
• It is designed to support heavy aircraft movement and approximately 1,500 RPA operations annually, including four drone sorties daily.
• The project highlights the shift towards drones as central actors in military operations, providing enhanced situational awareness and minimizing risk.