The Danish Defence Materiel and Procurement Agency (FMI) has acquired Virtual Reality (VR) systems from Swedish company GAIM and Danish company Kanda. The equipment will be used by the army and the Home Guard to evaluate the technology's potential in training for counter-drone operations.
The two simulation systems are allocated to the army and the Home Guard for testing in various scenarios, according to a press release from FMI. The army primarily focuses on simulating counter-drone operations using the Benelli M4 shotgun and the M/25 automatic rifle. The Home Guard will test whether the system can prepare new soldiers for physical shooting training and maintain skills among experienced soldiers.
According to the press release, the intention is not to replace physical exercises but to create a complement. With the help of VR headsets and simulated weapons, soldiers can train in realistic situations that might otherwise be costly or challenging to conduct physically due to safety concerns.
Delivery to the units has commenced, and the systems are expected to be ready for testing in March.
– We are constantly trying to explore the possibilities with new technology. There will be pressure on our training facilities, so here we are investigating whether new technology can be a good complement to physical training and instruction, and whether the system can help maintain or enhance the training level of our troops, says Martin Elliot Jensen, Deputy Head of the Simulation Section at FMI.
The testing period will continue until the summer, after which a decision will be made regarding potential further procurement.