The Him Tech Symposium 2024 was opened by Lt. Gen. MV Suchindra Kumar, Northern Command at Rinchen Auditorium. Photo: X/@firefurycorps
The Drone-a-thon conducted by the Army in Ladakh gave an idea of the capabilities of the Indian industry in terms of the different types and categories of drones available, officials said alongside the Himtech series, which showcases only high-altitude technology, which started. in Leh on Friday.
Starting in 2020 to fight China in Eastern Ladakh, the Army has taken a huge increase in technology, especially in high altitudes as it reorganizes its organization and redeploys troops.
Speaking at the two-day news conference, Northern Army Commander Lt. Gen. MV Suchindra Kumar said that the desert landscape of Ladakh requires special equipment whether it is cold weather gear, rugged vehicles or energy efficient shelters.
“The future of warfare, especially at high altitudes, lies in the use of high-tech tactics through the use of AI-infused autonomous systems such as UAVs and UGVs. We can reduce the burden of our soldiers to some extent and extend our operations to areas that were previously inaccessible,” he said.
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Noting that the extreme altitude of Ladakh often exceeds 15,000 feet presents unique obstacles, Lt. Gen. Kumar said the extreme cold, reduced oxygen levels, tested the rugged terrain of both human and machine endurance. As temperatures drop to -40 degrees Celsius or below, maintaining operational readiness becomes a difficult task, and basic operations such as mobility, communication and logistics become complex challenges in these conditions, he said.
Emphasizing that the armed forces are fighting this event every day and at all times, he added, “But courage alone is not enough. To protect our sovereignty, we must equip our forces with the best equipment and technology available.”
Himtech, themed “Harnessing Defense Technology for High Altitude Areas”, is organized by the Indian Army in association with the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry and sees more than 90 vendors from various parts of India.
The Drone-a-thon 2 program held from September 17-18 in Wari La in Ladakh at an altitude of 15,000 meters aims to tap into the power of advanced traditional technologies, focusing on improving operational efficiency and tactical superiority in some of the world’s most challenging terrain through the use of drones within the ambit of Atmanirbhar Bharatsaid Mabutho.
Drones are playing an increasingly important role in modern warfare as seen in the recent conflicts in Ukraine and Israel. Roles are expanding across different domains to include surveillance, logistics, precision strikes, communications etc. Their growing role reflects their versatility, efficiency and potential to transform military operations. More than 20 drone manufacturers demonstrated drone solutions designed for the most advanced applications.
These products have extended to all domains of surveillance, transportation, guided missile, aerial and FPV (first-person view) operations, the military said. The extreme environment of Ladakh has provided a veritable testing ground to verify the effectiveness and efficiency of these systems around the world, the Army said that adding the event gives the Indian Army the opportunity to filter several products that can be purchased while the development of products is recommended to a few. products.
The official explained that many drone manufacturers go to them to demonstrate their systems and this was an opportunity to test them in real field, extreme conditions. It provided the Army with an opportunity to understand the capabilities of the industry and the basis for their future needs.
Published – September 20, 2024 11:11 pm IST