India’s paramilitary Border Security Force (BSF) has made drone warfare a mandatory part of its training syllabus for both officers and troops, while also commissioning a new innovation centre to develop indigenous technologies for modern combat.
The move comes in the aftermath of Operation Sindoor earlier this year, during which BSF units faced and countered drone attacks. The force, with around 2.7 lakh personnel, guards India’s frontiers with Pakistan and Bangladesh and also operates the Indian Home Ministry’s air wing.
According to officials, the newly introduced drone commando course is designed for jawans and junior-rank personnel, while the drone warriors capsule is meant for officers who will oversee and coordinate drone operations in both peacetime and wartime.
“We have revised the training curriculum for jawans and officers. Drone technology is now a compulsory subject. New standard operating procedures are being finalised, and a dedicated drone school has been inaugurated to build self-reliance in this field,” said Shamsher Singh, Director of the BSF Academy at Tekanpur and an Additional DG-rank IPS officer.
Alongside the training initiative, the academy has established a police technology innovation centre with the involvement of officers, startups, industries, and academicians to tackle emerging security challenges. Areas of focus include artificial intelligence, machine learning, surveillance, and smart mobility.
The academy has also created a drone technology lab at Rustamji Institute of Technology (RJIT), the only higher education institution run by a paramilitary force, where B.Tech students are working on upgrading drones for surveillance and tactical use.
The first batch of about 45 personnel has completed training at the drone school and returned to the borders. The second batch is undergoing training, with a target of preparing nearly 500 personnel annually.
