Not as some side skill,but something every soldier may need to know .
General Upendra Dwivedi,the Chief of Indian Army,said this after Passing Out Parade of the 150th Course of National Defence Academy (NDA) . And his message was pretty direct,that every soldier in armed forces should be trained to operate drones.
He put it in very interesting way also . General Dwivedi said,“After I took over as army chief, I said 'Eagle on arm'. This means that every soldier should have an eagle in his hand,” while talking about drone operations.
And tbh,this line sounds simple,but meaning is big . Future battlefield is clearly not just about rifles,tanks and boots on ground anymore . Small drones,large drones,simulators,counter-drone systems… all of this is becoming part of soldier’s normal training only .
Few things standing out clearly here:
- Every soldier is expected to learn drone operations.
- Military academies are adding drones,simulators and counter-drone training .
- Theatreisation talks have moved ahead with recommendations sent to government .
General Dwivedi also said training infrastructure for drone operations is being developed in systematic way . He mentioned that Army has already made investment in drones and simulators so soldiers and cadets can get hands-on exposure,not just classroom theory.
His December example was also very specific . He said,“When I came here in December, I personally spoke to the Commandant and provided the Army Training Team with around four to six large drones and simulators.” That shows this is not just speech-level talk,actual equipment is being pushed into training spaces .
But drone training was not only subject he touched . General Dwivedi also spoke about theatreisation of Indian armed forces,where three services are supposed to work with better coordination . He said discussions inside Chiefs of Staff Committee are over and recommendations have been submitted to government .
And honestly,this part is equally serious ah . Because changing command structure of Army,Navy and Air Force is not small administrative reshuffle,it affects how India prepares and responds during conflict.
He also sounded positive about next phase under new Chief of Defence Staff (CDS),saying reform process would move further . Still,big question stays there… if every soldier now needs “eagle in his hand”,then what will next war actually look like for people on ground…
