# VR provides a cost-effective training solutions for militaries

- Link: https://www.military.africa/2023/07/vr-provides-a-cost-effective-training-solutions-for-militaries/
- Published: 2023-07-22T08:18:10+01:00
- Author: Military Africa

In the rapidly evolving landscape of military training, Virtual Reality (VR) has
emerged as a game-changing technology. It offers a cost-effective, safe, and highly
immersive environment for training soldiers, thereby enhancing their combat readiness.
For African militaries, which often grapple with budget constraints and logistical
challenges, VR combat simulators can provide a viable solution to improve their 
training regimes and, in turn, enhance combat operations.

**Advancing Military Training: The Power of Virtual Reality**

As the world embraces the digital age, technology continues to revolutionize various
industries, and the military sector is no exception. Among the many technological
innovations, virtual reality (VR) stands out as a game-changer in training military
personnel. By providing fully immersive and multi-user experiences, VR takes computer-
based training to new heights, offering realistic simulations of diverse real-life
scenarios.

**The Benefits of Virtual Reality Training**

VR training presents a safe, risk-free environment for military personnel to learn
crucial skills needed to survive in high-pressure, dangerous, and diverse situations.
Through VR, individuals can hone their combat skills, practice tactical and strategic
thinking, and improve decision-making abilities by responding to a wide range of
scenarios.

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One of the notable advantages of VR training is its ability to incorporate haptic
technology, allowing for activity-related training like weapon handling. Furthermore,
it enables military personnel to practice potentially life-threatening activities
such as parachute jumps, ensuring they are well-prepared for real-world challenges.

**Adapting to Technological Changes**

As the defence sector transitions from an industrial to digital age, technological
advances and communication developments are reshaping defence strategies. Data-driven
defence solutions are becoming increasingly crucial, and VR training tools play 
a pivotal role in equipping personnel to navigate these changes effectively.

Implementing VR training on a large scale is essential in a sector that requires
extensive training for numerous personnel. Not only does it provide a cost-effective
solution, but it also ensures consistent training across thousands of military individuals,
while enabling monitoring and evaluation of individual performance.

The history of VR has often been influenced by the defence industry. One of the 
first VR projects was developed in the 1960s for a US military combat system. Virtual
reality has always played a significant role in the military field and was adopted
by all services: army, navy, and air force. It is mostly used for army training 
purposes, but there are other use cases where VR is a powerful tool.

Virtual reality training is a common use case for VR technology. It helps for training
exercises that are too rare, too expensive, or too dangerous to be done in real 
life. Training simulation in the military field fosters the combat skills of small-
scale units or single soldiers by simulating actual vehicles, soldiers, and combat
environments.

**Military Applications of VR**

Armies worldwide are leveraging VR for battlefield and combat training. VR’s ability
to replicate complex environments realistically allows soldiers to learn how to 
engage with enemies, handle high-stress situations, and develop a wide range of 
skills. From effective communication to critical combat techniques, VR training 
prepares military personnel for various challenges they may encounter in the field.

Moreover, [VR simulations](https://www.military.africa/2023/04/bisim-and-blackshark-ai-join-forces-a-major-step-toward-the-military-metaverse/)
help soldiers cope with external factors like civilian presence and different environmental
conditions, such as varying times of day and weather challenges. The technology 
also aids in preparing soldiers for hostile environments, such as suicide bombers
or sniper attacks, enhancing their ability to respond effectively and protect themselves
and others.

**Life-like training without the risks**

Virtual reality allows soldiers to train for real situations without risks, with
feel-real weapons and vehicles. In a simulation, any equipment can be created in
the virtual platform. You can even add tracking devices with haptic feedback to 
give the trainees a more natural training experience. High-risk scenarios can be
simulated without danger, allowing soldiers to learn how to act in specific scenarios
that could be too dangerous or too expensive in real life, such as parachute training.

**Reduced costs for training and engineering**

Virtual reality reduces the need for physical prototypes. It’s a key benefit for
design and engineering, as the team won’t have to send as many physical models back
and forth, and instead work simultaneously in the same VR environment. For training
purposes, virtual and augmented reality sessions can open the possibilities for 
group and individual training, even for scenarios that could be too expensive or
[too dangerous to do in real training.](https://www.military.africa/2020/11/pennant-international-signs-contract-for-virtual-parachute-training-system-with-morocco/)

**The Future of Military Training**

In a rapidly changing world with evolving threats and socio-political orders, the
military sector faces significant challenges. Adequately preparing military personnel
to tackle these challenges is crucial, and effective training plays a central role.

While immersive technologies like VR won’t entirely replace traditional military
training techniques such as exercises and simulations, they hold great potential
in enhancing military preparedness. VR offers a valuable contribution to military
training, equipping personnel with the skills and abilities they need to perform
at the highest level.

**Simulate**: VR allows military personnel to undertake a huge range of simulations,
without the associated costs, thus massively reducing training budgets.

**Immersive Training**: VR can put a trainee in any number of different places, 
situations or environments, and can be used to teach awareness, build skills, and
provide valuable experience to help when real life requires it.

Trainees could use VR to experience a parachute jump, gaining an awareness of the
sensation and [disorientation of jumping from an aircraft](https://www.military.africa/2020/11/pennant-international-signs-contract-for-virtual-parachute-training-system-with-morocco/),
without the associated real-world flight costs.

They can be placed in fighter jets, submarines, tanks or armoured vehicles to experience
the cramped and claustrophobic conditions, or placed in the middle of an active 
battlefield or patrolled through a hostile environment, learning how to locate enemy
soldiers or search for IEDs.

**Situational Awareness: **Experiencing new environments and activities for the 
first time, such as a jungle boat incursion, or an arctic mission, provides valuable
context and locational awareness of situations that are hard to replicate without
significant cost.

Learning skills such as navigation, survival, and teamwork in difficult and compromising
situations, can be achieved with striking realism. No other technology can provide
this level of engagement or experience in the same immersive way as VR.

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**The Cost-Effectiveness of VR Combat Simulators**

One of the most significant advantages of VR combat simulators is their cost-effectiveness.
Traditional military training methods often involve expensive live-fire exercises,
the use of real equipment, and the deployment of personnel in realistic field exercises.
These methods can be financially draining, especially for African militaries that
operate under tight budget constraints.

In contrast, VR combat simulators offer a one-time investment in hardware and software,
with minimal recurring costs. They eliminate the need for live ammunition, reduce
the wear and tear on real equipment, and minimize the logistical challenges associated
with organizing large-scale field exercises. This makes VR an economically viable
option for African militaries, allowing them to provide high-quality training to
their soldiers without straining their budgets.

**Enhancing Combat Operations through VR Training**

Beyond cost savings, VR combat simulators can significantly [enhance the combat operations of African militaries](https://www.military.africa/2022/02/naf-a-29-super-tucano-pilots-are-using-simulators-for-training/).
By providing a realistic and immersive training environment, VR allows soldiers 
to practice various combat scenarios, tactics, and strategies in a controlled setting.
This includes everything from urban warfare and jungle combat to counter-insurgency
operations and peacekeeping missions.

VR simulators can replicate the complexities and unpredictability of real-world 
combat situations, helping soldiers to develop critical thinking, decision-making,
and tactical skills. They can also simulate different environmental conditions and
terrains, enabling soldiers to adapt to various operational contexts. This level
of training can significantly improve the combat readiness of African militaries,
enabling them to respond more effectively to different operational challenges.

Moreover, VR combat simulators can provide immediate feedback and analytics, allowing
trainers to assess the performance of soldiers and identify areas for improvement.
This data-driven approach to training can lead to continuous improvement in combat
operations.

**Case Studies: Successful Implementation of VR Combat Simulators**

Several African militaries have already recognized the potential of VR combat simulators
and have started to incorporate them into their training regimes. For instance, 
the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) has been using VR simulators for
pilot training, demonstrating the feasibility and effectiveness of this technology.

In another instance, Ruag Defence France, a subsidiary of Swiss holding company 
Ruag, [will supply and install combat simulator systems](https://www.military.africa/2021/06/ruag-to-supply-ivorian-army-with-combat-simulators/)
for the Ivorian defence ministry.  The deal was signed by the Ivorian Defence Minister
Tiéné Birahima Ouattara during the recently held Shield Africa 2021 defence exhibition.

Similarly, the Nigerian Army has partnered with local and [foreign tech companies to develop VR training solutions for its soldiers. ](https://www.military.africa/2021/07/nigerian-army-conducts-battle-simulation-with-masa-sword-and-vbs4/)
These initiatives have shown promising results, with soldiers reporting improved
skills and confidence in their abilities.

In summary, VR combat simulators offer a cost-effective and highly effective solution
for enhancing the training regimes of African militaries. By providing a realistic,
immersive, and safe environment for training, VR can significantly improve the combat
readiness of soldiers and enhance the operational effectiveness of African militaries.
As VR technology continues to evolve and become more accessible, it is expected 
that more African militaries will adopt this innovative approach to training, leading
to a new era of military readiness and operational effectiveness on the continent.

Lastly, virtual reality is taking military training to new heights by providing 
fully immersive and realistic experiences. Its applications in combat simulations,
decision-making practice, and skill improvement are invaluable to military personnel.
As the defence sector continues to evolve, integrating VR training into the learning
process will undoubtedly play a crucial role in preparing military forces to face
the challenges of the future.

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