Drone News

Indian Army to Set Up 19 Drone Training Hubs by 2026

Posted by

Pradipta V Mukherjee

September 18, 2025

On September 18, 2025

By establishing drone training centers and hubs at 19 prestigious institutions nationwide, including the Indian Military Academy in Dehradun, the Infantry School in Mhow, the Officers Training Academies in Chennai and Gaya, and the School of Artillery in Deolali, the Indian Army is poised to make a significant advancement in modern warfare. The action will make drone training a core component of the curriculum for all Army ranks and comes after the decision to treat drones as a standard weapon system following Operation Sindoor.

The Army intends to purchase approximately 1,000 drones of various types, from nano to medium-class UAVs, in addition to 140 first-person view drones and roughly 600 training simulators, per an Expression of Interest sent to a select group of vendors. Dedicated outdoor maneuver ranges and indoor facilities will support these, giving soldiers access to both hands-on flying experience and simulation-based education. The plan’s designation as an emergency revenue procurement reflects its urgency, with the goal of launching the comprehensive training hubs by January 2026.

A tiered training strategy will be used to deploy the drones. Small drones will allow for day-and-night mission planning; medium drones will improve intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities; micro drones will concentrate on pilot training and surveillance; and nano drones will assist soldiers in honing their motor skills and hand-eye coordination. In order to prepare personnel for combat scenarios that are increasingly defined by unmanned systems, FPV drones will teach them immersive flying, advanced maneuvering, and even kamikaze-style missions.

At strategic sites like Dehradun, Mhow, Deolali, and Bengaluru, vendors chosen for the project will also provide soldiers with specialized training. The operation and upkeep of the new drone infrastructure will be covered in each four- to six-day session. This is an important step in the Army’s larger plan, which was previously presented by the Army Training Command, to train all of its soldiers in drone operations by 2027.

Drones and counter-drone systems are expected to become commonplace battalion-level assets in the majority of the Army’s arms, according to Defense Minister Rajnath Singh, who has already praised this effort as a game changer. The Indian Army is ensuring readiness for the future battlefield, where coordination between manned and unmanned systems will be crucial, by establishing the groundwork for incorporating state-of-the-art drone technology into its core doctrine with this initiative.

Pradipta V Mukherjee

CEO, Mavdrones

Pradipta V Mukherjee is the visionary CEO of Mavdrones & Drone Pathshala, driving innovation and growth in the drone industry. With a passion for advanced technology, he leads the company's strategic direction, ensuring Mavdrones stays at the forefront of drone solutions. Under his leadership, Mavdrones has achieved remarkable success, including winning the 'Best Innovation and Technology in Drone Industry' award from ASSOCHAM. Pradipta is committed to revolutionizing the industry through advanced UAV technology, fostering a culture of excellence and forward-thinking within the organization.