The Indian Army has unveiled an ambitious roadmap to train five lakh of its personnel in drone operations over the next five years, marking a significant push towards modernizing battlefield tactics. This initiative was announced by Lt Gen Devendra Sharma, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Army Training Command, during the graduation ceremony of the Combat Army Aviation Training School (CAATS) in Nasik.
Drone Literacy Drive
Lt Gen Sharma revealed that the army has already trained around 50,000 jawans and officers within the last year for operating Remotely Piloted Aerial Systems (RPAS). He emphasized that the push for widespread drone literacy follows strategic assessments of recent global conflicts, where low-cost commercial-grade drones have neutralized multi-million-dollar legacy systems, changing the arithmetic of combat across the world.
Training Infrastructure
To integrate this capability at the grassroots, the Indian Army has rolled out a specialized drone warfare framework across 19 of its training establishments. The training includes instruction in drone precision and wing plans, drone maneuver areas, and advanced drone simulators. This comprehensive approach ensures that personnel are well-prepared for the demands of modern warfare.
Capabilities and Advantages
Beyond surveillance, drones assist the army in precision strikes, target destruction, and autonomous logistical re-supplies in high-altitude or hostile terrains. These capabilities effectively hold a significant advantage, possessing superior information and making decisions faster, Lt Gen Sharma noted. The focus on autonomous systems is also reshaping high-tier military aviation. At CAATS, drone training is now mandatory for conventional pilots. The school is also focusing on Manned-Unmanned Teaming (MUM-T), where manned helicopters operate in tandem with swarms of autonomous drones to execute complex operations.
Exercise Aviation Shakti
Exercise Aviation Shakti, an integrated combat demonstration, was executed by CAATS under the command of General Abhinay Rai during the passing out parade. The exercise showcased the compressed, high-stakes environments in which modern army aviators and remote pilots will be expected to operate seamlessly together in future conflicts. It demonstrated the integrated employment of helicopters, RPAS, drones, artillery, infantry, and armor columns, reinforcing the modern combined-arms approach driving contemporary battlefield operations.
Expansion of CAATS
Since its inception in 2001 with just three courses, CAATS has expanded to run 18 specialized courses, training around 150 officers annually for the Army Aviation Corps. This growth reflects the increasing importance of drone and aviation capabilities in the Indian Army's modernization efforts.
