Sheikh Saleem
Leh, September 17: In a strategic move to revolutionize high-altitude military operations, the Indian Army, in collaboration with the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), unveiled the much-anticipated HIM-DRONE-A-THON 2 on Tuesday.
While talking to Kashmir Convener Defence Spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Suneel Bartwal said this two-days event, held at the formidable Wari La Pass in Ladakh, aims to harness the power of indigenous drone technology to enhance operational capabilities in some of the world’s most challenging terrains of Ladakh UT.
Set against the backdrop of the Himalayas at altitudes exceeding 15,000 feet, the exhibition saw over 20 drone manufacturers showcasing cutting-edge solutions for surveillance, logistics, precision strikes, and FPV operations.
Spokesperson said the initiative aims to tap into the power of cutting-edge indigenous technology, focusing on enhancing operational efficiency and tactical superiority in some of the most challenging terrain on the planet through the use of drones within the ambit of Atmanirbhar Bharat.
Experts said the Drones are increasingly playing a significant role in modern warfare as seen in recent conflicts in Ukraine and Israel. “The roles are expanding across various domains to include surveillance, logistics, precision strikes, communication etc. Their growing role reflects their versatility, effectiveness and potential to transform military operations,” he added.
The Products displayed at the event spanned across domains of surveillance, logistics, loitering munitions, swarm and FPV (first-person view) operations.
“The extreme terrain of Ladakh provided an authentic testbed for validating the performance and global applicability of these systems, opening doors for India to become a key player in the global drone industry,” officials informed.
All participants were felicitated for their innovations and participation. Special recognition was given to the winners in the logistics and FPV categories. “The event gave opportunity to the Indian Army to shortlist a number of products for potential procurement while products improvements were also recommended for a few products,” spokesperson said.