In a bid to foster indigenous solutions for border security, the Indian Army recently conducted a week-long Forward Area Tour (FAT) in the Eastern Sector, showcasing operational challenges to industry leaders, MSMEs, startups, and academia.
This initiative reflects the Army’s commitment to Atmanirbharta (self-reliance) in modernization. By organizing regular forward area visits, the Army aims to enhance collaboration and innovation, leading to the development of tailor-made solutions for its operational needs.
Reinforcing this commitment, the Army will host HIM-DRONE-A-THON-2 on September 18, a competition focused on drone solutions for high-altitude areas. The event will be conducted in the challenging terrain and environmental conditions of 4000-5000 meters altitude.
Major General CS Mann, Additional Director General of the Army Design Bureau, highlighted the unique challenges of drone operations in the extreme environments where the Indian Army is deployed, from the Siachen Glacier to the rugged Himalayas. Indigenous solutions are crucial to overcome these challenges, he emphasized.
Over 25 indigenous drone manufacturers have registered for the competition, demonstrating their capabilities in various drone technologies, including surveillance, loitering munitions, logistics, swarm drones, and drones with specialized capabilities like electronic warfare and intelligence gathering.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, speaking at the Joint Commanders' Conference in Lucknow, reaffirmed the government's dedication to strengthening the defence sector and equipping the Armed Forces with state-of-the-art, indigenous weapons and platforms.
He stressed the need for a balanced approach between traditional and modern warfare equipment and underscored the importance of capability development in space and electronic warfare.
The Minister also urged the military leadership to leverage the latest technological advancements in data and artificial intelligence, recognizing their crucial role in modern warfare.
