BSF Establishes Drone Warfare Academy in Madhya Pradesh for Enhanced Commando Training
In a move aimed at advancing India's border security capabilities, the Border Security Force (BSF) has launched a School of Drone Warfare at its officers' training academy in Tekanpur, Madhya Pradesh. This new facility will provide BSF commandos with training in drone operations, anti-drone warfare, surveillance, and combat strategies enhanced by artificial intelligence, skills that have become increasingly vital following Operation Sindoor.
The BSF, responsible for securing the 2,290 km India-Pakistan International Border (IB), the 4,096 km India-Bangladesh border, and certain sections of the Line of Control (LoC) under Army command, is now set to empower its personnel with advanced drone warfare capabilities.
Five Specialised Courses for Drone Commandos
BSF Director General Daljit Singh Chawdhary, who officiated the inauguration, stated that the school will develop "drone commandos and drone warriors" through five specialised courses focusing on:
| UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) operations |
| Anti-drone warfare |
| Surveillance and intelligence gathering |
| Payload integration and night operations |
| Use of RF (radio frequency) jammers and kinetic interceptors |
The Tekanpur center is outfitted with live drone flying zones, simulators, AI and machine learning tools, and first-person view piloting systems for kamikaze drones.
Lessons from Global and Indian Battlefields
During his address at the inauguration, DG Chawdhary underscored how drone warfare has reshaped global conflicts, including the Russia-Ukraine war, as well as recent Indian military operations. He referred to Operation Sindoor, India’s precise retaliation against Pakistan following the Pahalgam terror attack, as a prominent demonstration of drones' strategic influence in achieving decisive results.
He emphasized the increasing significance of AI, the proactive use of drones, and weaponized UAVs in guiding national security strategies and shaping future military doctrines.
Strengthening Border Security
As drone threats continue to escalate along the western and eastern borders, the establishment of the Drone Warfare School represents a significant advancement in the BSF’s readiness for future warfare. Officials noted that this initiative will not only enhance the capabilities of India's border security forces but also set a precedent for incorporating drone warfare into paramilitary training.
