Indoor Training, 24×7 Outdoor Manoeuvre ranges: Indian Army Plans 19 Drone Centres After Operation Sindoor

If India’s successful Operation Sindoor, against terror hideouts in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir, was a perfect display of something, it was the drone power and how big of a role they are set to play in modern warfare. Understanding their immense potential, the Indian Army is taking a giant leap towards incorporating them.

To further boost the usage of these unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), the Indian Army is moving to embed drone warfare into its core training framework by establishing drone training hubs at 19 premier institutions. The decision follows the success of Operation Sindoor, after which drones were formally recognized as standard weapon systems.

These institutes include the Indian Military Academy (Dehradun), Infantry School (Mhow), Officers Training Academies (Chennai and Gaya), and the School of Artillery (Deolali).

Indian Army drone centres: What will they offer?

The hubs will feature state-of-the-art simulators, indoor training facilities, and 24×7 outdoor manoeuvre ranges. Training will span across multiple categories of drones, nano, micro, small, medium, and first-person view (FPV), and will culminate in certification for soldiers of all ranks, The Indian Express reported.

Nearly 1,000 drones are planned for procurement, covering a wide spectrum of operational ranges from 200 metres to 50 kilometres. The fleet will include over 800 nano-to-medium drones, 140 FPV drones, and around 600 training simulators with supporting systems.

What roles will different drones play in training?

Nano drones: Basic manoeuvring, motor skills, hand-eye coordination.

Micro drones: Remote pilot training and basic surveillance.

Small drones: Day-and-night surveillance, reconnaissance, and mission planning.

Medium drones: High-end ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance), grid corrections, and planning.

FPV drones: Manoeuvring and kamikaze-style operational training.

Army’s drone centres: How urgent is the project?

As per the report, the Indian Army has issued a limited Expression of Interest (EOI) under emergency revenue procurements to fast-track acquisitions. Comprehensive drone training hubs are expected to be fully functional by January 2026. Selected vendors will supply equipment, training simulators, and instructors, besides organizing training workshops for Army personnel.

Each session will last 4–6 days and involve 25 trainees.

How does this fit into the Army’s long-term plan?

The Army Training Command (ARTRAC) has laid out a roadmap ensuring that every soldier is trained in drone operations by 2027. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has termed this decision a “game changer” for the Army, aligning with broader reforms to integrate UAVs and counter-UAV systems at the battalion level across multiple arms.