Army seeks to lower dependence on Chinese equipment

Acknowledging that use of Chinese equipment in drones is a “live issue” and anything remotely to do with data is where the vulnerability lies, Maj Gen C. S. Mann, additional director general of the Army Design Bureau, said that the Government has taken some actions and “appropriate methodology to address this will come into effect.” He added that there was no specific timeline. On the Him-Drone-A-Thon 2 being organised on 17-18 September at Wari La in Leh, Maj Gen Mann said in addition to providing an opportunity to the Indian drone industry to demonstrate their drone solutions for high altitude areas, the event will also help the Indian Army identify products suitable for procurement. The event is being organised for five major categories: surveillance drones, logistics drones, swarm drones, loitering munitions, first person view drones, and drones with specific payloads like synthetic aperture radar, and electronic warfare. Drones are critical Maj Gen P. S. Bhatti with the Udhampur-based Northern Command said Himtech is being held for the first time in Leh, to highlight and focus on the development of technology and systems to meet operational challenges along the northern border.