India has recently intensified its drone training initiatives in Jaisalmer, strategically located near the border with Pakistan. This training is a vital component of “Exercise Trishul,” a series of multi-domain military drills aimed at enhancing operational readiness across diverse terrain and scenarios. According to reports from The Times of India, the Indian Army’s Battle Axe Division has been actively engaged in training soldiers on advanced unmanned aerial systems (UAS).
The training program included comprehensive modules covering the assembly, maintenance, and piloting of drones. Participants were introduced to advanced methodologies such as first-person view operations, surveillance tasks, and simulated munition deployment. Over the course of two days, the drones successfully engaged mock enemy targets, showcasing their precision, endurance, and adaptability to the rigorous conditions of the desert environment.
This initiative is part of India’s broader self-reliance campaign, which aims to enhance local production and innovation within the defense sector. The program aligns with the country’s objectives to modernize its military capabilities through indigenous technology.
In a significant push to bolster its homegrown defense industry, New Delhi is actively developing indigenous drone technology. Recently, mobile drone production units have been launched, enabling the manufacture and deployment of unmanned systems directly from the field. These mobile units, conceived by local firms Zuppa and Divide By Zero Technologies, are designed to facilitate rapid 3D printing and drone assembly in close proximity to operational zones.
Alongside strengthening its internal capabilities, India is also engaging in partnerships with European nations and the United States to enhance both drone and counter-drone technologies. Last month, a notable collaborative effort occurred between the EU and India, wherein the two conducted their inaugural joint counterterrorism training. This program focused on safeguarding critical infrastructure and soft targets against emerging drone threats. The three-day exercise involved participation from India’s National Security Guard and the EU’s High Risk Security Network, aimed at testing and refining advanced UAS and counter-UAS capabilities through coordinated tactical maneuvers.
Moreover, in September, the U.S. defense firm Shield AI demonstrated its Hivemind autonomous flight software to India’s Ministry of Defense, signaling a potential future collaboration. This demonstration precedes possible approvals for the supply of V-BAT drone systems to the Indian Army and Air Force, further illustrating India’s commitment to modernizing its defense capabilities through international partnerships and indigenous development.
