Close X
Sunday, November 24, 2024
ADVT 
India

Indian Army lookout for robust drones: Lt Gen RC Tiwari

Darpan News Desk IANS, 05 Nov, 2024 03:27 PM
  • Indian Army lookout for robust drones: Lt Gen RC Tiwari

Kolkata, Nov 5 (IANS) The Indian Army is on the lookout for advanced equipment, including robust drones as well as counter-drone systems, Lt Gen R C Tiwari, GOC-in-C, Eastern Command, said in his keynote address on Tuesday, during the inaugural session of the two-day long defence expo East Tech 2024 in Kolkata.

East Tech 2024 has been organised by the Army's Eastern Command in which nearly 140 companies engaged in defence-related production, including MSMEs and start-ups, are participating in the third edition of the event.

The Eastern Army commander urged defence production units to develop and deliver drones that are capable of operating at high altitudes and harsh terrain.

The operational jurisdiction of the Eastern Command stretches from the high reaches of the Himalayas to hot and humid rain forests in the country's northeastern states. Drones are today a force multiplier as well as a threat.

"We are looking for potent state-of-the-art drones. Equally important and in light of increasingly potent capabilities available in this domain with militaries the world over as well as in our neighbourhood, having an effective counter-drone system is of utmost importance," Lt General Tiwari said.

He added that cutting-edge technology to improve the survivability of own troops and resources is the way forward. He spoke on how the Eastern Command, the largest operational command of the Army, has its own requirements of defence-related equipment and technological solutions.

An official noted that an Army Commander has financial powers to clear the procurement of need-specific equipment to a certain extent.

"We also have to take cognisance of new threats and challenges that are emerging with each passing day and hence look towards the defence industry to provide us with the required battlefield equalisers. Given the high humidity across the eastern region, moisture-proof storage conditions, especially for ammunition in forward areas, is an area that we expect the Indian defence industry to work on and come up with positive solutions. Our wars have to be fought with our weapons and equipment," Lt Gen Tiwari added, highlighting the importance of self-reliance in defence production.

He also urged West Bengal minister Arup Biswas to ensure greater participation from MSMEs at such events. Biswas, who inaugurated the event, claimed that the state has the second-largest number of MSMEs in the country.

Lt Gen R C Srikanth, Chief of Staff, Eastern Command, told reporters later that the defence industry and the armed forces are now developing various counter-drone technologies and these are being inducted to carry out operations against drones that pose a threat to national security.

"Drones have turned into a major threat. Both the armed forces and the industry are conscious of the fact that we need to develop counter-measures. Some systems are already in place and others will be inducted in due course," he said.

MORE India ARTICLES

Three associates of Bishnoi, Goldy Brar gangs held: Punjab DGP

Three associates of Bishnoi, Goldy Brar gangs held: Punjab DGP
Those arrested have been identified as Gurpreet Singh, Maninder Singh, and Harcharanjit Singh. All the accused have a criminal history with cases pertaining to murder and attempt to murder, the Arms Act and the NDPS Act have been registered against them.

Three associates of Bishnoi, Goldy Brar gangs held: Punjab DGP

Man held with 35 bullets, explosive material in Patna

Man held with 35 bullets, explosive material in Patna
The Patna police arrested a man with 35 live cartridges and explosive material in the city’s Kurji locality on Wednesday afternoon. The police team seized 35 live cartridges, potassium nitrate powder, charcoal powder, a bullet proof jacket, sutli (jute rope) and an army uniform from the house of a person named Mithilesh Mahto.

Man held with 35 bullets, explosive material in Patna

Maha: 12 Maoists gunned down in Gadchiroli encounter, 2 cops injured

Maha: 12 Maoists gunned down in Gadchiroli encounter, 2 cops injured
In a major operation, the Gadchiroli Police have shot dead at least 12 Maoists in a forest gun battle on the Maharashtra-Chhattisgarh border, a police officer said on Wednesday. Superintendent of Police Neelotpal said the encounter took place in Wandoli village near the Chhattisgarh border on Wednesday afternoon and lasted for more than six hours.

Maha: 12 Maoists gunned down in Gadchiroli encounter, 2 cops injured

8 Indians among 9 crew rescued from capsized oil tanker near Oman

8 Indians among 9 crew rescued from capsized oil tanker near Oman
The Indian Navy said in a post on X on Wednesday evening: "#IndianNavy's mission deployed warship #INSTeg, rendering SAR assistance for the capsized Oil Tanker MV #PrestigeFalcon, has rescued 9 (8 Indians & 1 Sri Lankan) personnel.

8 Indians among 9 crew rescued from capsized oil tanker near Oman

Mumbai Court sends BMW crash accused Mihir Shah to 14 days' judicial custody

Mumbai Court sends BMW crash accused Mihir Shah to 14 days' judicial custody
Shah, 24, the son of a ruling Shiv Sena leader Rajesh Shah, was produced before the Sewri Metropolitan Court after his six-day police custody ended, and now he has been sent to judicial custody till July 30.

Mumbai Court sends BMW crash accused Mihir Shah to 14 days' judicial custody

IMF raises India’s GDP growth forecast to 7 pc for 2024-25

IMF raises India’s GDP growth forecast to 7 pc for 2024-25
The IMF World Economic Outlook put China’s growth rate at 5 per cent for 2024 and 4.5 per cent for 2025. In the case of advanced countries, the GDP growth rate of the US has been forecast at 2.6 per cent for 2024 and 1.9 per cent for 2025.

IMF raises India’s GDP growth forecast to 7 pc for 2024-25