New Delhi, May 5: One year marks the completion of ‘Operation Sindoor.’ During this period, the Indian Army has mastered the use of drones, emerging as a formidable weapon in modern warfare. Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi announced the formation of the ‘Ashni Platoon’ on Kargil Vijay Diwas, and this initiative has now been successfully implemented.
According to defense officials, the army has completed the first phase of drone training, ensuring that every soldier in the infantry battalion has received basic training in drone operations. This foundational training began at the unit level. The second phase involves specialized advanced training at the formation level. After the basic training at the unit level, the best-performing soldiers are selected for further advanced training.
Training is conducted in two phases. In the first phase, soldiers learn to operate drones on simulators for 15 to 20 hours. This is followed by field training, where they master drone operations in real-world scenarios, overcoming various obstacles.
At the formation level, specialized advanced training centers train approximately 20 to 25 soldiers per batch for 2 to 3 weeks. The Indian Army is also providing training to personnel from other services in addition to its own formations.
The training covers various types of drones, including surveillance drones, First Person View (FPV) drones, armed drones, and logistic drones. During Operation Sindoor, the Indian Army not only utilized drones but also successfully shot down enemy drones from Pakistan.
The army had been preparing for this new weapon and has rapidly begun developing its ‘Drone Warriors.’ The first phase of this initiative is now complete, with special drone training nodes being established and their numbers increasing.
The army is also enhancing the procurement and deployment of drone and counter-drone systems. Each infantry battalion has established a drone platoon, named the ‘Ashni Platoon.’
In addition, drone training centers and academies are being set up. These have already been established at the IMA in Dehradun, the Infantry School in Mhow, and the Officers Training Academy (OTA) in Chennai.
Both soldiers and unit officers are being trained to operate drones. This drone concept of the Indian Army has been dubbed ‘Eagle in the Arm.’ The primary goal is for every soldier to learn to operate a drone.
Just as soldiers operate their weapons and keep them at hand, they should also effectively utilize drones. According to defense officials, soldiers are being trained in drone usage according to their roles—combat, surveillance, logistics, and even medical evacuation.
In addition to operating drones, training is also provided for countering enemy drones. This is creating a layered system capable of both utilizing and neutralizing drones. The army aims for 100% proficiency in drone operations among infantry unit soldiers by the year 2027.
– D.K.P.
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