The Indian Air Force (IAF) has signed a procurement contract for a virtual reality (VR)-based Part-Task Trainer for its Mirage-2000 fighter aircraft, marking another milestone in the transition of an indigenous iDEX-developed solution from successful trials to operational acquisition.
The system has been developed by New Delhi-based deep-tech start-up Threye Interactive Pvt. Ltd. under the Ministry of Defence’s Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) initiative.
Designed for the Mirage-2000 I/TI fleet, the Part-Task Trainer was developed under the Defence India Start-up Challenge-5 in the modelling and simulation category. It integrates virtual reality, flight simulation and real-time networking technologies to support advanced aircrew training.
Threye’s compact, PC-based system accommodates both individual and group training through VR and non-VR configurations. The trainer has already completed Indian Air Force trials on the Mirage-2000 platform.
The procurement contract signals the IAF’s move towards incorporating the system into structured training programmes, reducing the need to rely exclusively on live aircraft sorties for selected procedures and mission rehearsals.
Enhancing Pilot Training Through Immersive Simulation
Unlike full-flight simulators, part-task trainers focus on specific cockpit functions, aircraft systems and mission-related activities rather than replicating the entire flying experience. This approach enables aircrew to practise complex procedures repeatedly in a controlled environment without deploying operational fighter aircraft.
The VR-based configuration is designed to deliver an immersive, risk-free training environment covering combat manoeuvres, aircraft systems operation and coordinated large-force engagements.
The technology offers several operational advantages, including improved aircraft availability, reduced training expenditure and minimised airframe wear. It also allows pilots to familiarise themselves with complex tasks and procedures before transitioning to live-flight training.
The trainer’s modular architecture provides opportunities for adaptation to other fixed-wing and rotary-wing platforms, subject to specific service requirements and platform integration needs.
Expanding Indigenous AR/VR Training Capabilities
Beyond pilot training, Threye Interactive has developed a separate augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality-based type-training system for Mirage-2000 ground personnel.
The system combines physical mechanical replicas, functional electrical systems and interactive digital modules to support maintenance procedures, system inspections and fault diagnosis.
It enables ground crews to practise servicing and troubleshooting activities without requiring operational aircraft or actual aircraft components. Key features include simulated fault insertion, guided procedural training, AR-based assistance, real-time performance feedback and network-enabled multi-user training.
Threye states that its Mirage-2000 AR/VR technical training system has been accepted and deployed by the Indian Air Force. According to the company, the solution can reduce the cost of certain maintenance-training activities to less than 5% of conventional training conducted using operational platforms.
The latest procurement highlights the IAF’s growing adoption of immersive simulation technologies to strengthen combat readiness, optimise training resources and advance indigenous defence innovation through the iDEX framework.
