BSF Issues ₹49.3 Lakh Tender for Drone Simulation and Maintenance Facility in Bengaluru

The Border Security Force (BSF) has initiated a procurement process to establish a drone simulation, maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facility at its CEDCO establishment in Bengaluru, Karnataka. The initiative involves an estimated procurement value of ₹49.3 lakh and is intended to develop dedicated infrastructure for drone simulation, technical training and related activities within the force.

The procurement is being undertaken by the BSF Signal Training School in Bengaluru under the Ministry of Home Affairs. A tender was published on the Government e-Marketplace (GeM) portal on November 5, 2026, under reference number GEM/2026/B/8199242, inviting bids for the supply, installation and commissioning of equipment required for the proposed facility.

Drone Simulation and Training Infrastructure

The proposed facility will incorporate computer-based drone simulation systems, virtual reality equipment and associated training infrastructure. The procurement covers nine categories of equipment and services, comprising a total quantity of 45 units.

The equipment includes fixed computer workstations, virtual reality headsets, drone simulator software, radio controllers, networking switches, an instructor podium with console and an 86-inch interactive flat-panel display. The tender also includes a 5 kVA online uninterrupted power supply system with 120 minutes of backup, along with installation and commissioning services.

The combination of simulation software, virtual reality systems and radio controllers is designed to support a controlled training environment in which personnel can practise drone-operating procedures. The instructor console and interactive display will provide facilities for instructional sessions, demonstrations and monitoring of training activities.

The networking and power-support equipment included in the procurement will form part of the technical infrastructure required to integrate and operate the proposed simulation systems.

Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul Component

The tender describes the project as the establishment of a drone simulation, maintenance, repair and overhaul laboratory at CEDCO BSF in Bengaluru. The inclusion of MRO activities in the project description indicates that drone maintenance and technical support form part of the facility’s stated objectives.

However, the equipment categories identified in the current procurement are primarily associated with simulation, instruction and supporting information technology infrastructure. Dedicated drone repair tools, battery diagnostic equipment, motor-testing systems and other specialised maintenance instruments are not separately identified among the nine listed categories.

Consequently, the present tender establishes the procurement requirements for the proposed facility but does not independently confirm the availability of a complete drone maintenance and overhaul capability. The eventual scope of its MRO operations will depend on the equipment and technical arrangements established during implementation.

Procurement and Implementation Requirements

The BSF has invited bids through the Government e-Marketplace procurement system, with November 26, 2026, specified as the final date for bid submission. The procurement carries an estimated value of approximately ₹49.3 lakh and covers the supply of equipment together with the installation and commissioning activities required to establish the facility.

The tender documentation also specifies technical evaluation, equipment inspection, system integration and acceptance requirements. Suppliers will be required to demonstrate compliance with the approved specifications, while final acceptance will follow the successful installation, testing and commissioning of the supplied systems.

The procurement framework includes provisions for the inspection of equipment, verification of technical documentation and replacement of items that fail to meet the prescribed requirements. These conditions are intended to ensure that the delivered infrastructure conforms to the technical specifications established by the BSF.

Strengthening the BSF’s Drone Training Capabilities

The Bengaluru initiative comes as the Border Security Force continues to develop institutional capabilities related to unmanned aerial systems. Drones have become increasingly relevant to border surveillance, reconnaissance and security operations, making specialised training and technical knowledge important components of operational preparedness.

The BSF inaugurated its School of Drone Warfare at the BSF Academy in Tekanpur, Madhya Pradesh, in September 2025. The Bengaluru procurement represents a separate initiative focused on establishing simulation infrastructure and associated technical facilities at the Signal Training School.

Computer-based simulation systems provide an environment in which drone-operating procedures can be practised without requiring an aircraft to be flown during every training session. Virtual reality equipment and instructional systems also allow training activities to be conducted within a structured and controlled environment.

The proposed laboratory will add dedicated simulation infrastructure to the BSF’s existing training establishment in Bengaluru, subject to successful completion of the procurement and commissioning process.

Project Status

The Government e-Marketplace tender confirms that the BSF has formally initiated procurement for the proposed drone simulation and MRO laboratory. As of November 12, 2026, the bidding process remains open, with submissions scheduled to close on November 26.

The issuance of the tender marks the beginning of the procurement stage rather than the completion of the facility. Contract award, installation, commissioning and operational deployment remain separate milestones.

The project reflects the BSF’s continuing investment in drone-related training infrastructure, with the Bengaluru facility intended to provide additional institutional capabilities in simulation and technical instruction.

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