SOURCE: AFI
The Indian Army has taken a significant step towards modernizing its combat training regime by incorporating First-Person View (FPV) drones into its curriculum for Agniveer cadets. This development comes amidst a growing global trend of utilizing FPV drones for tactical operations.
FPV drones offer a unique perspective for operators, transmitting a live video feed from a camera mounted on the drone directly to a headset worn by the pilot. This allows for highly maneuverable, close-quarters reconnaissance and targeting capabilities, particularly valuable in urban warfare scenarios.
The Indian Army’s decision to train Agniveers with FPV drones suggests potential future applications for these lightweight unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) on the battlefield. Military analysts speculate that these drones could be used for:
- Reconnaissance and Surveillance: FPV drones can provide real-time visual intelligence in complex environments like fortified trenches or dense forests, minimizing risk to soldiers on the ground.
- Target Acquisition and Designation: The high maneuverability and live video feed of FPV drones make them ideal for pinpointing enemy positions and guiding precision strikes.
- Tactical Disruption: FPV drones equipped with explosives could potentially be used for targeted attacks against enemy combatants or light armored vehicles.
The recent conflict in Ukraine has highlighted the effectiveness of FPV drones in modern warfare. Both Ukrainian and Russian forces have extensively deployed commercially available FPV drones modified for combat purposes. This real-world demonstration has likely influenced the Indian Army’s decision to integrate FPV drones into its training program.