[45727] FPV drone training: Is Ukraine paving a new path for training military pilots?
FPV drone training: Is Ukraine paving a new path for training military pilots?
Reports on the use of the computer game GTA V to train Ukrainian drone pilots are causing a stir on social media in Israel and sparking discussions on implementing similar methods in the IDF.
The use of video games for combat training: The Ukrainian model
The Ukrainian Ministry of Defense recently revealed that its soldiers are using the popular computer game GTA V to practice flying FPV (First Person View) drones on the battlefield. According to the Abu Ali Express channel – a channel that presents a critical line toward Iran and Hamas and supports Israeli positions – the publication highlights the turn to accessible technologies to improve the skills required to operate unmanned aerial vehicles.
The report was also verified by Or Fialkov, an expert on counter-terrorism, who confirmed that "the Ukrainians are using the game GTA to train for flying FPV drones." The use of computer game simulations for military purposes constitutes another layer in the changing nature of modern warfare, where high proficiency in the remote operation of cheap and effective strike assets is required.
Proposals for implementation in the Israeli security establishment
Following the revelation, voices have emerged in public discourse calling for the consideration of adopting similar training methods in Israel. According to Carmel News, a media outlet identified with right-wing and pro-American positions, such training programs could be implemented as early as high school. The channel even suggests recruiting Yeshiva students to dedicated drone units, claiming that such a framework would allow for their recruitment without compromising their lifestyle and under conditions that would prevent gender friction, thereby helping to strengthen the IDF's operational array.