Indian Armed Forces and Environmental Sustainability: A Comprehensive Assessment of Simulators in ‘Green Training’

Indian Armed Forces and Environmental Sustainability: A Comprehensive Assessment of Simulators in ‘Green Training’

This report presents a detailed evaluation of simulator-based military training as a sustainable alternative to conventional live exercises within the Indian Armed Forces. The study examines how the increased integration of advanced simulator technologies can simultaneously support combat readiness, operational efficiency, cost optimization, and environmental sustainability.

To set the context, the publication provides an overview of the evolution and role of advanced simulation technologies in modern warfare, highlighting their application in military preparedness. It discusses various categories of military simulators and reviews India's growing defence capabilities, policies, and strategic initiatives supporting simulator adoption.

The core assessment covers five major combat arms—Infantry, Artillery, Army Air Defence, Armoured Corps, and Mechanised Infantry—and evaluates 13 critical simulator systems alongside their corresponding ammunition or weapon systems. This includes an analysis of the Infantry Weapon Training Simulator (IWTS), Driving Training Simulator (DTS), Medium Machine Gun Simulator, Rocket Launcher Simulator, Anti-Tank Guided Missile Simulator, Forward Observer Simulator, Tank Crew Gunnery Simulator, and the Pinaka Simulator, among others.

Methodologically, the study utilizes a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)-based framework to estimate the environmental impacts associated with conventional live training activities. This assessment considers emissions from ammunition manufacturing, energetic and non-energetic material use, fuel consumption, troop movement, firing activities, and associated logistics. These impacts are primarily measured through Global Warming Potential (GWP) and expressed as greenhouse gas emissions in CO2 equivalent.

In tandem with the environmental metrics, the report evaluates the economic implications of simulator adoption. By analysing ammunition costs, fuel expenditure, transportation requirements, and long-term financial savings using Net Present Value (NPV) calculations, the study models multiple simulator induction scenarios to project potential benefits under varying levels of adoption.

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Finally, the report compiles a detailed life-cycle inventory database for multiple ammunition systems, mapping material composition, propellants, primers, explosives, manufacturing inputs, and use-phase emissions. Ultimately, these findings provide evidence-based insights into how simulator-based “green training” can drastically reduce resource consumption, emissions, and operational costs while strengthening military preparedness and contributing to India’s broader climate and sustainability goals.