Huma Siddiqui
New Delhi, Jan 11
The Indian Army has declared 2024 as the Year of Technology Absorption, signifying a focused commitment to incorporating and harnessing technological advancements.
In a prelude to Army Day on January 15, Army Chief General Manoj Pande elucidated the Army’s steadfast dedication to development, innovation, and the integration of niche technologies. The objective is to propel the Indian Army into a modern and agile force, with a pronounced emphasis on indigenization.
General Pande emphasized the pivotal role of technology as a catalyst for transformative change. “This theme underscores our commitment to leverage technology as a catalyst for transformative change, as well as to utilize in-house expertise to innovate solutions to our operational and logistic requirements and give shape to these projects in collaboration with the domestic defense industry.”
The acknowledgment of disruptive technologies as the new arena of strategic competition underscores the evolving landscape in which the Indian Army operates. General Pande emphasized the paramount importance of national interests and the established relevance of hard powers in this dynamic scenario. The security forces are resolutely aligned to ensure a stable and secure environment for the nation.
A significant aspect of the Indian Army’s technological endeavors is its foray into cyberspace capabilities. General Pande revealed, “The Indian Army personnel are being trained to leverage technology and exploit the cyber domain effectively through institutionalized, procedural, and technological measures.” Project SAMBHAV takes center stage in this initiative, presenting an end-to-end secure mobile ecosystem operating on contemporary 5G technology. This project is positioned as a substantial leap forward in enhancing India’s defense capabilities.
In addressing connectivity challenges, General Pande stated, “We have identified 355 Army posts from where we have asked for 4G connectivity with the telecom ministry. Infrastructure also has to do with forward airfields, villages, and helipads. We are also working on underground storage. Regarding the infrastructure along the LAC, we are progressing in all domains.”
Efforts to enhance the Army’s technological capabilities extend to restructuring initiatives, encompassing both the artillery and electronic warfare units. General Pande detailed, “We have restructured our artillery unit and also have restructured units of electronic warfare and electronic intelligence.” Notably, the Army is in the process of reducing reliance on animals in transport units, replacing them with drones—a move aligned with modernization goals.
Optimizing the Army’s strength is a key focus, with plans to achieve a significant reduction of 1 lakh numbers by 2027. General Pande stated, “We have given the proposal to the government.” The transformative human resource initiative highlighted by the Army Chief aims not only to provide productive employment for retiring soldiers but also to empower veterans.
Innovations on Display
In the pursuit of innovation, the Indian Army places a strong emphasis on fostering creativity at the unit level. The Army Design Bureau (ADB) has identified and selected 34 out of 80 in-house innovations. These innovations span a spectrum of cutting-edge technologies, including AI, software applications, unmanned aerial platforms, and counter-drone systems. The collaborative approach involves partnering with academic and industry entities to develop ruggedized solutions meeting military-grade standards.
The Army Design Bureau’s initiatives extend to integrating the capabilities of the entire defence industry ecosystem. Collaborations with premier academic expertise, such as the Foundation for Innovation and Technology Transfer, IIT Delhi, resulted in the identification of fifteen niche tech innovations last year. Eight of these initiatives have already undergone the Intellectual Property Rights process.
The collaborative effort with academia continues, with four niche tech innovations currently in progress under the guidance of faculty from IIT Delhi through the Army Technology Board route. One notable success in this innovation journey is “Vidyut Rakshak,” an IoT-based Generator Monitoring and Control System, which has transitioned to the Indian industry for mass production.
In addressing the labour-intensive and time-consuming aspects of intelligence data collection, an AI-driven software has been developed. This software provides dynamic graphical representation, offering informative graphs that reveal hidden trends and patterns, thereby enhancing situational comprehension.
Another significant stride in innovation is the Military Objects Detection System in Satellite Images. This AI-based system enables the automatic detection and classification of military objects in satellite imagery in real-time. The developed AI module enhances Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance capabilities, empowering commanders at all levels to make timely decisions.
The in-house research and development efforts of the Indian Army have also given rise to the Multipurpose Octocopter. This versatile tool, with a payload capacity of 25 kg in high-altitude areas, serves various functions. It facilitates the delivery of essential supplies to forward posts, conducts surveillance operations, and offers a live camera feed to the operator. Additionally, it features a platform for firing assault rifles and throwing grenades, showcasing its multifaceted utility.
General Pande highlighted the induction of better vehicles, drones, and counter-drone systems as part of the Army’s emergency provisions. The restructuring of artillery units and the reduction of reliance on animals in transport units underscore the Army’s commitment to modernization and adaptability in evolving warfare domains.