<h1>Defence minister urges formal integration of drones into national war policy, citing combat role evolution and domestic industry gains</h1> The defence minister emphasized that drones have become critical to modern warfare and should be formally integrated into national war policy, noting their deployment where larger platforms cannot operate and citing extensive use in the Russia-Ukraine conflict as evidence. Speaking at the inauguration of a private defence equipment and engine-testing facility, the minister highlighted the evolution of drones from surveillance to combat roles, argued that early investment yields a strategic edge, and praised domestic progress in designing, developing and manufacturing drones as aligned with the government's self-reliance vision while commending private-sector entrepreneurs.