In an effort to harness drone technology for operations in high altitude areas including Siachen glacier and Line of Actual Control(LAC)facing China, the Army HIM-DRONE-A-THON 2 will take place at Wari La, near Leh on September 17-18, officials said here on Wednesday.

This will be followed by HIMTECH-2024 on September 20-21,  an event conceptualised to discuss, demonstrate and discover new avenues for development, incorporation and cross pollination of technology, ideas and innovations with focus on harnessing military technologies for high attitude areas.

Major General C S Mann, Additional Director General of the Army Design Bureau highlighted that the Indian Army is deployed from icy heights of the Siachen Glacier to the rugged Himalayas where its soldiers face unparalleled adversities daily.

For drone operations, rarified atmosphere results in reduced lift and degraded engine performance which are further accentuated by extreme cold temperatures and high wind speeds.

These conditions are unique for Indian Army and demand systems that can adequately perform in these conditions.

Since such altitude battlefields are not prevalent anywhere else, tailor-made, indigenous solutions are the way forward.

If the indigenous industry succeeds here, it also opens vistas for them to international arena and establish India as a credible drone manufacturing hub.

HIM-DRONE-A-THON-2 will focus on drone solutions for Indian Army for high altitude areas. The event is planned to be conducted under actual terrain and environmental conditions at altitude of 4,000-5,000 meters.

The event is open to all indigenous drone manufactures and invites their participation for demonstration of surveillance drones, Loitering munitions, Logistics Drones, Swarm Drones and drones with specific capabilities / role / payloads ie; Electronic Warfare, Synthetic Aperture Radar, Communication Intelligence and Electronics.