The Indian Army’s Special Forces Training School (SFTS), located at Bakloh, in the country’s northern state of Himachal Pradesh, recently inaugurated its first Vertical Wind Tunnel (VWT). This is the army’s first VWT and the new facilty was virtually inaugurated by General Manoj Pande, Chief of the Army Staff.

“This virtual inauguration marks the operationalization of a training asset that will be a game changer for Combat Freefall (CFF) training and a significant leap towards adopting new training methodologies aimed at superior operational capability and readiness,” the Indian Army tweeted from its official X handle @adgpi. 

The project, which is the first of its kind in the Indian Army, will deliver simulated training to refine the combat freefall skills of army SF personnel and combat free-fallers. 

Called “UDAAN” (flight in Hindi), the VWT is a freefall simulator, which creates a column of air at specific velocities, orchestrating different CFF conditions. Trainees can enhance their CFF skills in a controlled environment which simulates real-life freefall conditions.

The trainer will be used to simulate varied freefall scenarios crucial in assessing individual reactions to numerous situations in an airborne operating environment and aid trainees in getting used to free-fall conditions.

The VWT will also be used for delivering advanced training to seasoned free-fallers and CFF instructors.