Pune: The National Defence Academy (NDA), Khadakwasla, has set up a drone training lab to provide cadets with exposure to emerging unmanned technologies and their application.The facility was inaugurated by Vice Admiral Anil Jaggi, Commandant of the NDA, at the Army Training Team (ATT). It is aimed at preparing future military leaders by upgrading training methodologies and aligning military education for the changing character of warfare.“The new lab will provide hands-on exposure to drone technologies, surveillance systems, autonomous platforms and their operational employment across tactical and strategic scenarios,” a senior NDA officer told TOI.The centre has been set up at a time when unmanned systems have emerged as a decisive factor in contemporary conflicts worldwide. Recent military operations across Europe, West Asia and South Asia have demonstrated that drones have become critical assets, said the officials.Earlier this month, Chief of the Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi, had underlined that the Indian Army’s objective is to integrate drones into the way soldiers train, operate and fight. “Understanding the operational importance of drones and its use in the modern warfare; the drones will give early exposure to cadets,” the chief had told media.Senior military and defence experts believe that introducing drone education at the cadet stage will allow future military leaders to understand the implications of autonomous and remotely operated systems from the start of their careers.“Early exposure enables cadets to develop proficiency in drone operations, swarm technologies, battlefield surveillance, target acquisition, electronic warfare, counter-drone measures and multi-domain operations before they join active units. Currently, the officers have to learn about the system first and then they operate. Officers posted in operational units don’t have adequate time for learning on the field. It affects the overall preparation and hence this early exposure is decisive,” a senior infantry officer told TOI.“A future officer will not just command soldiers but manage networks of sensors, autonomous platforms and intelligent systems,” a senior defence official said. “Military today demands technological literacy as much as traditional battlefield skills.”Globally, premier military institutions have integrated drone and autonomous warfare education into their training curricula. The United States Military Academy at West Point has expanded instruction in unmanned aerial systems and autonomous warfare concepts, while United Kingdom, Israel and several NATO countries have incorporated drone operations, artificial intelligence and multi-domain warfare studies into training programmes, said the experts.
