Why Is the Indian Army Investing in New Drone and Missile Target Systems for Training?

SEO Summary: The Indian Army has initiated the acquisition of new target systems to strengthen the training of its air defence units against evolving aerial threats. The proposed systems include an Intermediate Target System (Rocket), a Basic Target System (Swarm Drones), and a Basic Target System (Multirotor Copter). These targets are intended to simulate modern battlefield threats such as drone swarms, cruise missiles, and unmanned aerial vehicles, helping soldiers develop realistic engagement skills and improve operational readiness in future air defence scenarios.

As aerial threats become faster, smaller, and more autonomous, military training must evolve to prepare soldiers for realistic battlefield conditions rather than traditional air combat alone.

Why Is the Army Upgrading Its Training?

Modern battlefields are changing rapidly. While fighter aircraft remain important, armed forces now face an increasing number of threats from drones, loitering munitions, cruise missiles, and unmanned aerial systems.

To prepare its air defence personnel for these challenges, the Indian Army has begun the process of acquiring new target systems that can realistically simulate these emerging threats during training exercises.

Simple Definition: A target system is a specially designed aerial object used during military training to simulate enemy aircraft, missiles, or drones, allowing soldiers to practice detection, tracking, and engagement without facing actual combat.

Which Target Systems Are Being Planned?

The Army has issued Requests for Information (RFIs) for three different categories of aerial target systems:

• Intermediate Target System (Rocket)
• Basic Target System (Swarm Drones)
• Basic Target System (Multirotor Copter)

Each system is intended to represent a different type of aerial threat encountered in modern warfare.

Simulated Threat
⬇
Target Detection
⬇
Missile Lock
⬇
Weapon Engagement
⬇
Performance Evaluation

Intermediate Target System (Rocket)

The Intermediate Target System is intended to simulate faster aerial threats for air defence missile operators.

One of its key features is the generation of an infrared (IR) signature, allowing troops to train with infrared-guided air defence missiles under realistic operating conditions.

Such training helps personnel practice:

• Target acquisition.
• Infrared tracking.
• Missile engagement procedures.
• Reaction under operational conditions.

Why Train Against Drone Swarms?

One of the most significant developments in modern warfare is the growing use of drone swarms.

Instead of a single unmanned aircraft, a swarm consists of multiple drones operating simultaneously, sometimes coordinating their actions.

These systems can challenge conventional air defence because:

• Multiple targets appear simultaneously.
• Threat directions change rapidly.
• Operators have limited reaction time.
• Air defence resources may become saturated.

Multiple Drones
⬇
Target Detection
⬇
Threat Prioritization
⬇
Air Defence Engagement

Training Against Multirotor Drones

Commercial-style multirotor drones have become increasingly common on modern battlefields.

Although relatively small, they can perform reconnaissance, surveillance, electronic warfare support, or deliver small payloads.

Dedicated multirotor target systems allow soldiers to practice:

• Visual identification.
• Radar tracking.
• Electro-optical detection.
• Counter-drone engagement procedures.

Why Are Drone Threats Growing?

Recent conflicts around the world have demonstrated that unmanned systems can influence military operations at relatively low cost.

Modern drones are capable of:

• Persistent surveillance.
• Real-time intelligence gathering.
• Precision strike missions.
• Electronic warfare support.
• Battlefield reconnaissance.

As a result, military organizations increasingly emphasize counter-drone training alongside conventional air defence.

What Is an Infrared Signature?

Every operating engine produces heat that can be detected by infrared sensors.

Infrared-guided missiles use this thermal energy to identify and track targets.

Training targets that generate realistic infrared signatures allow operators to practice missile engagements under conditions that closely resemble actual combat.

Engineering Insight: Creating a realistic infrared signature is an important aspect of military target design because it allows missile seekers to behave much as they would during operational missions.

Benefits of Realistic Training

Modern military training increasingly emphasizes realistic operational scenarios rather than classroom instruction alone.

Advanced target systems help improve:

• Reaction speed.
• Target recognition.
• Weapon accuracy.
• Decision-making under pressure.
• Coordination between air defence units.
• Operational confidence.

Realistic Targets
⬇
Better Training
⬇
Improved Readiness
⬇
Higher Mission Effectiveness

Supporting Modern Air Defence

Today's air defence networks must be capable of responding to a wide range of aerial threats simultaneously.

These may include:

• Fighter aircraft.
• Cruise missiles.
• Ballistic missiles.
• Loitering munitions.
• Reconnaissance drones.
• Drone swarms.

Training with diverse target systems prepares personnel to operate effectively across this broad threat spectrum.

The Engineering Perspective

Designing military target systems requires expertise in aerodynamics, propulsion, telemetry, infrared signature generation, flight control systems, communications, and safety engineering. The objective is to create targets that accurately replicate the flight characteristics and sensor signatures of real aerial threats while remaining reliable and reusable for repeated training exercises.

The Strategic Perspective

Modern conflicts have demonstrated that air defence is no longer focused solely on intercepting conventional aircraft. Increasingly, armed forces must counter a diverse range of unmanned systems operating at different speeds, altitudes, and flight profiles. Investing in realistic training infrastructure helps ensure that personnel are prepared for the evolving nature of aerial warfare and emerging technologies.

Thinkable Reflection: Advanced weapons alone cannot guarantee battlefield success. Effective training against realistic threats is equally important because soldiers perform in combat much as they have practiced during peacetime. As aerial threats continue to evolve, realistic training becomes one of the most valuable components of national defence preparedness.

Conclusion

The Indian Army's initiative to acquire new rocket, swarm drone, and multirotor target systems reflects the changing character of modern warfare, where unmanned aerial systems play an increasingly significant role. By providing realistic training against evolving aerial threats, these target systems are expected to enhance the readiness of air defence units, improve operational effectiveness, and support India's broader effort to modernize its defence capabilities for future battlefield environments.