SWITCH UAV (Photo: ideaForge)
New Delhi: Indian drone manufacturer ideaForge Technology has launched a specialist UAV flight-test training programme for NATO military personnel at the National Test Pilot School (NTPS) in the United States, marking a first for India's indigenous defence sector.
The week-long programme, which commenced on 9 March, centres on ideaForge's NATO-certified SWITCH UAV platform and is designed to give allied forces practical experience in UAV flight-testing procedures and operational deployment across simulated mission environments.
Participating nations include Canada, Israel, India, Germany, Australia, Italy, Sweden, and the United States -- bringing together defence professionals from four continents. The Royal Canadian Air Force, Israeli Air Force, Indian Navy, Bundeswehr, Royal Australian Air Force, and the Italian and US Air Forces are all represented.
Training modules cover flight-test planning, telemetry monitoring, payload operations, mission evaluation, and post-flight data analysis. The curriculum is structured around real-world operational scenarios, enabling trainees to assess UAV performance across diverse mission profiles whilst gaining end-to-end exposure to integrated aerial systems central to contemporary defence operations.
Ankit Mehta, CEO and Co-Founder of ideaForge, said that evolving geopolitical pressures demand that armed forces continually upgrade their capabilities in electronic warfare and unmanned systems. Conducting such training on an Indian-developed platform, he noted, underscores the growing international standing of India's deep-tech defence innovation.
The SWITCH UAV is established in intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance roles. Its lightweight hybrid construction enables long-range, high-altitude operations, with reliable performance across challenging terrain and adverse weather.
Luca Campello, President of the NTPS, said the collaboration allows students to practise genuine flight-test planning, execution, and data analysis in a safe, cost-effective setting. The platform's integration of an air vehicle, sensors, datalink, and ground control system gives trainees comprehensive exposure to the full systems-test process.
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.
