In a significant advancement for India’s aerial defence and border security, the Border Security Force (BSF) has successfully completed training the first cohort of “drone warriors” at the country’s inaugural School of Drone Warfare. Located at the BSF Academy in Tekanpur, near Gwalior, this pioneering institution is dedicated to preparing personnel to confront emerging aerial threats and to bolster combat readiness in critical border areas.
The first batch comprises 42 officers who have undergone comprehensive training in advanced drone operations. These newly qualified personnel are set to graduate soon and will be responsible for training subordinate ranks across various BSF units, thereby ensuring that the drone warfare capabilities are swiftly disseminated throughout the force.
Inaugurated on September 2 by BSF Director General Daljit Chawdhary, the specialized school boasts cutting-edge facilities, including drone simulators, live flying zones, modules for night operation training, RF jammers, kinetic interceptors, payload integration systems, and AI-based tracking tools. With an initial funding of ₹20 crore, the institution aims to train 10 to 12 batches annually, with the capacity to produce nearly 500 skilled drone commandos each year.
This initiative comes in the wake of Operation Sindoor, which underscored the crucial role drones play in contemporary conflicts. Acknowledging this, the BSF established the training center to cultivate expertise in areas such as surveillance, reconnaissance, jamming technologies, and offensive drone tactics. Currently, another group of trainees is engaged in an intensive eight-week program at the facility.
The formal induction of “drone warriors” represents a strategic move by the BSF to mitigate risks posed by hostile unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), thwart smuggling efforts, and address cross-border intrusions. Officials assert that this enhanced capability will significantly strengthen India’s border management and security framework, positioning the BSF ahead in the evolving landscape of aerial defense.
