ideaForge Becomes First Global Drone Company to Train NATO Forces at the US National Test Pilot School
IdeaForge displays India’s deep-tech defence capabilities on the global stage
Bengaluru, March 9, 2026. In a landmark moment for India’s indigenous defence technology ecosystem, ideaForge Technology Inc. (a wholly-owned subsidiary of ideaForge Technology Limited), a leading global drone technology company, has commenced a specialised UAV flight-test training programme for NATO military personnel at the prestigious National Test Pilot School (NTPS), United States. Marking the first such initiative by an Indian UAV player, ideaForge will deploy its NATO-certified SWITCH UAV platform as part of a specialised hands-on drone flight-testing programme. 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.
The week-long exercise, commencing on March 9, will equip NATO’s military personnel from across four continents through an immersive exercise. The 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 will enhance monitoring, analysis, and tactical capabilities in mission planning and execution. Participants will undergo structured modules that will cover 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.
