According to reports from CNBC TV18, PTI, Fortune India, Economic Times, and India Sentinels, PTI, ideaForge Technology Ltd's wholly-owned subsidiary ideaForge Technology Inc has commenced a specialised drone flight-test training programme for NATO military personnel at the National Test Pilot School (NTPS) in the US. This marks the first such initiative by an Indian UAV player, as reported by the company. The week-long exercise commenced on March 9 and will equip NATO's military personnel from across four continents through an immersive training programme. As per Economic Times, the programme is being conducted through ideaForge Technology Inc, the company's wholly-owned US subsidiary, marking a significant milestone for Indian defence technology in global military training.
As reported by CNBC TV18, PTI, Fortune India, Economic Times, and India Sentinels, the week-long exercise commenced on March 9 and will equip NATO's military personnel from across four continents through an immersive training programme. The initiative will deploy ideaForge's NATO-certified SWITCH UAV platform as part of the hands-on drone flight-testing programme. According to Fortune India, the training programme will use ideaForge's SWITCH UAV, a hybrid fixed-wing drone designed for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) as well as tactical missions. The platform is engineered to operate across varied terrains and extreme climatic conditions, enabling long-range and high-altitude surveillance operations with its lightweight hybrid design allowing vertical take-off and landing along with extended endurance.
According to the reports, key participants include the Royal Canadian Air Force, Israeli Air Force, Indian Navy, German Defence Forces (Bundeswehr), Australian Air Force, Italian Air Force, Sweden, and the United States Air Force. The programme is designed to enhance monitoring, analysis, and tactical capabilities in mission planning and execution. As per Economic Times, the training allows trainees to gain practical exposure to the complete UAV testing process, with the platform allowing students to practice real flight-test planning, execution, telemetry monitoring, and data analysis in a safe and cost-effective environment. According to India Sentinels, the collaboration brings together defence professionals from Canada, Israel, India, Germany, Australia, Italy, Sweden, and the United States -- representing allied forces from four continents.
As reported by CNBC TV18, PTI, Fortune India, Economic Times, and India Sentinels, participants will undergo structured modules covering flight-test planning, operational deployment, telemetry monitoring, payload operations, mission evaluation, and post-flight data analysis. The exercises are designed to replicate real operational scenarios, enabling trainees to assess UAV performance across critical missions while gaining end-to-end exposure to integrated aerial systems used in diverse defence operations. According to India Sentinels, the curriculum is structured around real-world operational scenarios, enabling trainees to assess UAV performance across diverse mission profiles while gaining comprehensive exposure to the full systems-test process. The platform's integration of an air vehicle, sensors, datalink, and ground control system provides students with genuine flight-test planning, execution, and data analysis capabilities in a safe, cost-effective setting.
According to the company statement reported by CNBC TV18, PTI, Fortune India, Economic Times, and India Sentinels, the selection of an Indian organisation by NTPS reflects the country's global recognition in advanced defence technologies and acceptance for homegrown UAV platforms in tactical use cases worldwide. As per Economic Times, CEO and co-founder Ankit Mehta emphasized that with the changing global order and geopolitical landscape, it is important for forces to stay updated and relevant in electronic warfare and continue upgrading and strengthening their capabilities. According to India Sentinels, the programme is widely seen as a springboard for deeper ties between ideaForge and international defence stakeholders -- potentially accelerating long-term partnerships and broader adoption of Indian UAV technologies on the world stage. The initiative positions ideaForge as a key player in international defence training and technology transfer programmes, with Economic Times noting that training NATO military forces on an Indian-developed platform demonstrates that deep-tech innovation from India can contribute meaningfully to global defence preparedness.
