Indian Army Declares 2024 as "Year of Tech Absorption"

By IndraStra Global News Team

Cover Image Attribute: The file photo of an Indian Army soldier using a drone / Source: AP Photo / Channi Anand.

Marking a significant milestone in its quest for modernization, the Indian Army has officially declared 2024 as the "Year of Technology Absorption". In a statement preceding Army Day on January 15, Army Chief General Manoj Pande outlined the Army's unwavering commitment to development, innovation, and the integration of cutting-edge technologies. The primary goal is to transform the Indian Army into a modern and agile force, strongly emphasizing indigenization.
General Pande emphasized the pivotal role of technology as a catalyst for transformative change. "This theme underscores our commitment to leverage technology for transformative change and to utilize in-house expertise to innovate solutions for our operational and logistic requirements," he stated. The collaborative approach with the domestic defense industry is expected to play a crucial role in shaping these projects.
In the rapidly evolving landscape of strategic competition, General Pande acknowledged the significance of disruptive technologies. He underscored the paramount importance of national interests and the established relevance of hard powers in this dynamic scenario, as security forces align to ensure a stable and secure environment for the nation.
A notable focus of the Indian Army's technological endeavors is its venture into cyberspace capabilities. Underlining this initiative, General Pande unveiled Project SAMBHAV, which stands as an end-to-end secure mobile ecosystem operating on contemporary 5G technology. This project is poised to be a significant leap forward in enhancing India's defense capabilities in the cyber domain.
Addressing connectivity challenges, General Pande outlined plans to provide 4G connectivity to 355 identified Army posts, with infrastructure improvements spanning forward airfields, villages, and helipads. The Army is also making progress in underground storage, particularly along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
The Army's commitment to technological advancement extends to restructuring initiatives within the artillery and electronic warfare units. General Pande announced the restructuring of artillery units and the shift towards reducing reliance on animals in transport units, replacing them with drones to align with modernization goals.
Efforts to optimize the Army's strength are underway, with plans to reduce personnel by 1 lakh numbers by 2027. General Pande emphasized that this transformative human resource initiative aims not only to provide productive employment for retiring soldiers but also to empower veterans.

Innovations on Display

The Indian Army's pursuit of innovation is exemplified by its emphasis on fostering creativity at the unit level. The Army Design Bureau (ADB) has identified and selected 34 out of 80 in-house innovations, ranging from AI and software applications to unmanned aerial platforms and counter-drone systems. Collaborative efforts with academic and industry entities are instrumental in developing ruggedized solutions that meet military-grade standards.
The Army Design Bureau's initiatives extend to integrating capabilities across the entire defense industry ecosystem. Collaborations with premier academic institutions, such as the Foundation for Innovation and Technology Transfer at IIT Delhi, have identified fifteen niche tech innovations last year, with eight already undergoing the Intellectual Property Rights process.
Continuing its collaborative efforts with academia, the Army is currently working on four niche tech innovations under the guidance of faculty from IIT Delhi through the Army Technology Board route. One success story from this collaboration is "Vidyut Rakshak," an IoT-based generator monitoring and control system that is now transitioning to mass production within the Indian industry.
In response to the labor-intensive and time-consuming aspects of intelligence data collection, the Army has developed AI-driven software providing dynamic graphical representation. This software offers informative graphs that reveal hidden trends and patterns, 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, enhancing Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance capabilities and 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, including the delivery of essential supplies to forward posts, conducting surveillance operations, and providing 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 emphasized 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. 

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