Indian Army Trains Over 50,000 Personnel in Drone Operations as UAS Emerge as Key Battlefield Element
In a significant development for India's defense capabilities, the Army Training Command (ARTRAC) has announced that more than 50,000 troops have been trained in drone operations, underscoring the critical role of unmanned aerial systems (UAS) in modern warfare. This training initiative is part of a broader push to integrate advanced technologies into military strategies, reflecting lessons from recent conflicts and operational experiences.
Drone Integration and Counter-Drone Measures
Lt Gen Devendra Sharma, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of ARTRAC, emphasized that UAS are now a battlefield necessity, with drones being deployed across various arms and services for multiple functions. These include attack missions, surveillance, reconnaissance, electronic warfare, engineering operations, and logistics support. To counter potential threats, the Armed Forces have progressively deployed integrated counter-drone grids and electronic counter-measure systems, making training in both drone and counter-drone operations a key focus area.
Recent field exercises have been conducted to validate new tactics and technologies, ensuring that troops are well-prepared for evolving combat scenarios. Notably, infantry battalions now feature an integrated drone platoon named Ashni, which is equipped with diverse tactical drones designed for both attack and surveillance purposes.
Indigenous Development and Technological Advancements
A strong emphasis is being placed on indigenous development and the induction of niche technologies in the drone domain. ARTRAC is coordinating with defense research organizations and the industry to foster innovation, with numerous research and development projects underway. This includes in-house initiatives by the services to enhance self-reliance and technological superiority.
During the ARTRAC Investiture Ceremony held at its headquarters in Shimla on March 24, Lt Gen Sharma highlighted that 15 establishments are evolving as Centers of Expertise, aiming to absorb 33 niche technologies by 2030. He also discussed the institutionalization of the Vidur Vakta (Red Teaming) initiative across the Army by 2027, which involves simulating enemy tactics during training exercises to critically evaluate strategies and anticipate adversarial reactions.
ARTRAC's Transformation Initiatives and Awards
The Army commander outlined ARTRAC's 57 initiatives across the five pillars of the 'Decade of Transformation', drawing lessons from recent conflicts such as Operation Sindoor in May 2025. At the ceremony, several awards were presented to recognize excellence and innovation within the training framework.
- The GOC-in-C Army Training Command Unit Citation was conferred upon four Category-A training establishments: Army Air Defence College, Armoured Corps Centre and School, Mechanised Infantry Centre and School, and Rashtriya Indian Military College, along with two affiliated units: 269 Engineer Regiment and 665 Army Aviation Squadron (Recce and Observation).
- Financial Excellence Awards were given to Combat Army Aviation Training School, Junior Leaders Academy, and College of Military Engineering.
- The Digitisation and Automation Excellence Award was presented to Military College of Telecommunication Engineering and Mechanised Infantry Centre and School.
- Additionally, 11 Technical Excellence Awards were awarded to selected innovators for their contributions in the Pan-Indian Army Level Competition, and GOC-in-C Commendation Cards were presented to 16 individuals for distinguished service.
This comprehensive training and award system underscores the Indian Army's commitment to enhancing operational readiness and embracing cutting-edge technologies in an era where drone warfare is becoming increasingly pivotal.
