The Indian Army is strengthening two critical parts of its unmanned systems ecosystem at the same time: the security of the drones it operates and the number of personnel trained to use them.
Six specialised AASHVAST laboratories are being established to examine military drones and other electronic systems for hidden firmware vulnerabilities, embedded software risks and potentially unsafe components. In parallel, the Army is preparing to train more than 2,000 personnel in drone operations through dedicated training laboratories and structured courses.
Together, the two initiatives address a central challenge in modern military drone use. Increasing the number of unmanned systems is not enough unless the platforms can be trusted at the hardware and software level and sufficient personnel are available to operate them effectively.
Six AASHVAST Laboratories Planned Across India
AASHVAST stands for Assessment and Analysis of Electronic Systems Hardware for Vulnerabilities and Security Threats.
The programme is being implemented under the Directorate General of Electronics and Mechanical Engineers and is intended to examine military drones at a level deeper than conventional physical inspection.
One laboratory has already been established in Delhi, while at least five additional facilities are planned across the country.
The AASHVAST system includes a Firmware Analysis and Validation Suite designed to inspect the software embedded within drones and other electronic systems. Its purpose is to identify vulnerabilities that could affect the reliability, security or operational behaviour of equipment during military missions.
Looking Beyond the Drone Airframe
Modern drones depend heavily on firmware, flight-control software, communications systems, sensors and navigation electronics.
A drone may appear physically sound while still containing software weaknesses capable of affecting its operation. These can include hidden commands, unused code, embedded access mechanisms, compromised credentials or other vulnerabilities introduced during manufacturing or subsequent software updates.
AASHVAST is designed to examine these layers of the system rather than limiting inspection to the visible hardware.
The testing can also assess how systems respond to location-dependent behaviour, navigation interference and other conditions that could become critical during operations.
Focus on Foreign-Origin Components
The Army’s expanded scrutiny comes amid continuing concern over the presence of foreign-origin components in military drones and other electronic equipment.
Chinese-origin components have drawn particular attention because unmanned systems are increasingly employed in surveillance and operational roles along sensitive borders.
The purpose of AASHVAST is not simply to identify where a component was manufactured. The broader objective is to determine whether hardware and embedded software contain vulnerabilities that could compromise performance or create an unauthorised pathway into the system.
This becomes increasingly important as drones evolve from relatively simple surveillance platforms into networked systems carrying sophisticated payloads and performing autonomous missions.
Air-Gapped Testing for Sensitive Systems
AASHVAST operates within an isolated environment designed to prevent sensitive systems from being exposed to external networks during examination.
Firmware can be extracted directly from connected flight controllers and payload electronics or analysed through stored software images.
The system can examine embedded passwords, cryptographic keys, remote-access mechanisms and software update procedures while checking whether the equipment accepts only authorised firmware.
Detected vulnerabilities can then be classified according to their severity and incorporated into a structured security assessment.
The approach gives Army technical personnel a method for examining the digital architecture of a drone before relying on it in an operational environment.
More Than 2,000 Army Personnel to Receive Drone Training
Alongside the security initiative, the Army is expanding its human resource base for unmanned systems.
More than 2,000 personnel, including soldiers and Agniveers, are expected to receive drone-operation training under a programme involving Zuppa Geo Navigation Technologies and the Tamil Nadu Unmanned Aerial Vehicles Corporation.
Dedicated drone laboratories are being established at Army regimental centres to provide practical instruction in UAV operations.
The programme is expected to begin at the Madras Regimental Centre in October 2026.
Training will combine classroom instruction, simulator-based learning and hands-on flying during a structured four-week course.
Eligible personnel completing the programme are expected to receive Remote Pilot Certificates through DGCA-authorised training institutions.
Building Drone Skills Inside the Army
The training programme reflects the rapid spread of unmanned systems across military formations.
Drones are now used for surveillance, reconnaissance, battlefield observation, logistics, targeting support and a growing range of specialised missions.
As these systems become more widely distributed, trained operators and technicians are required at levels far below specialised drone units.
Creating an internal pool of personnel familiar with flight operations, maintenance and mission employment can help Army units integrate UAVs more routinely into field operations.
Security and Skills Develop Together
The two initiatives address different weaknesses within the same ecosystem.
AASHVAST focuses on whether the drone itself can be trusted, while the training programme focuses on whether units possess the personnel required to operate unmanned systems safely and effectively.
This combination is increasingly important as battlefield drones become more software-dependent and more deeply integrated with communications, sensors and command networks.
A secure platform without trained operators has limited value, while a large pool of operators cannot compensate for compromised or unreliable hardware.
Army’s Drone Ecosystem Becomes More Institutionalised
The Indian Army’s approach to drones is moving beyond individual procurements towards a broader institutional framework involving cybersecurity, technical validation, training and operational integration.
The establishment of six AASHVAST laboratories introduces dedicated firmware-level scrutiny into the lifecycle of military drones, while the training of more than 2,000 personnel expands the human capacity required to employ them.
Together, these measures strengthen both technological assurance and operational readiness, creating a more secure and sustainable foundation for the Army’s expanding use of unmanned systems.
References
Indian Army-related reporting on AASHVAST laboratories and drone-security testing, September 2026.
The Indian Express — “New Army labs to weed out Chinese parts and hidden bugs in drones,” September 21, 2026.
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/indian-army-establishing-six-aashvast-labs-drone-cctv-firmware-vulnerability-analysis-chinese-components-dg-eme-10886499
Financial Express — “Army’s drone strategy: 6 labs to detect vulnerabilities, 2,000 personnel to be trained,” September 30, 2026.
https://www.financialexpress.com/business/defence/indian-army-drone-strategy-six-labs-to-detect-vulnerabilities-2000-personnel-to-be-trained/4350494
Zuppa Geo Navigation Technologies — Official company information on drone technology and training programmes.
https://zuppa.io
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