Santo Domingo Este.— The Ministry of Defense inaugurated this Thursday the new Tactical and Virtual Training Center, an infrastructure intended to modernize the preparation of Dominican military personnel through the use of technology, simulation, and specialized spaces for physical and tactical training.
During the inauguration ceremony, the Minister of Defense, Lieutenant General Carlos Antonio Fernández Onofre, highlighted that the new center will allow for the simultaneous training of more than 355 soldiers, a capacity equivalent to the operational personnel of an infantry battalion.
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The infrastructure has three instruction classrooms, offices, recreation areas, restrooms, a weapons workshop, and parking zones, among other facilities.
Military training with technology
Fernández Onofre explained that the new center is part of a high-impact military training platform that includes the Army’s Virtual Tactical Training Center, located at the 16 de Agosto Camp, and the Navy’s Virtual Center, located in Boca Chica.
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According to the minister, the Armed Forces currently have 12 virtual shooting ranges. One of these was donated by a friendly country, while the other 11 were built and put into operation during the current administration of President Luis Abinader.
The official stated that these tools will allow for the strengthening of a new culture of military preparedness based on technology, efficiency, security, and resource optimization.
One of the main benefits of this training modality will be economic savings. According to Fernández Onofre, the use of virtual systems will allow for a reduction in the consumption of live ammunition and generate savings of over RD$300 million annually.
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Ministry of Defense bets on fewer risks in soldier preparation
The minister explained that virtual training will allow military personnel to develop and refine their skills within controlled environments, reducing the risks associated with certain traditional practices.
Furthermore, technological systems will allow for the individual and collective evaluation of soldiers’ performance, identifying strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities for improvement before troops are deployed in real scenarios.
Fernández Onofre also highlighted that constant practice contributes to the development of muscle memory, in addition to improving the dexterity, precision, and confidence of the members of the Armed Forces.
Obstacle course also inaugurated
During the ceremony, the physical tactical training system called “Line 0, Here the warrior is born” was put into operation, consisting of a modern obstacle course and a military mountaineering tower.
These facilities are designed to strengthen the physical condition, discipline, responsiveness, and teamwork of the soldiers, through exercises developed under demanding conditions.
The center will especially benefit the military units located in the San Isidro area, including the Batalla de las Carreras Army Military Academy, the Directorate of Military Education, Training and Doctrine, the Air Force, and the Navy.
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Seeking to strengthen joint operations
The Ministry of Defense maintained that the new facilities will also contribute to improving interoperability between the Armed Forces, by allowing for the development of more homogeneous training among the different institutions. For the Ministry of Defense, this coordination represents an important step in the modernization of operational capabilities.
The intention is that the joint exercises promoted by the Ministry of Defense will allow for the improvement of coordination and response capacity of the units in situations that require the participation of different military components.
The minister pointed out that modernization is especially important in the face of the unconventional challenges and threats facing the region, which is why the Ministry of Defense considers it necessary to maintain constant preparation adapted to new circumstances.
“By inaugurating these infrastructures, we expand the way we train, prepare ourselves, and are always ready to fulfill our sacred duty to defend the sovereignty, territorial integrity, and peace of the Dominican Republic,” he stated.
The head of the Ministry of Defense thanked the institutions and officials who participated in the execution of the project, including the Minister of Public Works and Communications, Eduardo Estrella; the Vice Minister of Road Maintenance, Fernando Taveras, and the Director of the Armed Forces Social Security Institute, Rear Admiral Heinrich Maltaveras.
Fernández Onofre concluded by highlighting President Luis Abinader’s support for the modernization and professionalization process of the Armed Forces, as well as the strengthening of national defense and security capabilities promoted by the Ministry of Defense.
