Indian Army receives 'Made in India' drones, new combat vehicles for LAC surveillance

Indian Army received shipment of a drone system that has been developed using completely indigenous technology. This system has been handed over to armed forces to carry out uninterrupted surveillance activities and keep an eye on enemy troops in areas along Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Lakh. Besides drones, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also handed over infantry combat vehicles, which were also manufactured in India, to Indian troops in forward areas. 

Notably, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is currently working on anor AI-driven multi-role, vanced and long-endurance drone system which would be used for surveillance in high-altitude areas along Indo-China border. An official familiar with development revealed that drones are being designed to carry a wide range of vital military systems including sensors, missiles, and various or weapons up to 40 kg. "This project is also aimed at dressing requirement of our armed forces as well as global supplies", official told PTI. 

source also revealed that HAL is aiming for a test flight of ir drones by mid-2023 and will produce as many as 60 such Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV). Notably, HAL also has plans for Israeli Heron TP drones production which could be used in medium-altitude regions (up to 35,000 feet) and will be designed to operate for 45 hours. Heron drones would be equipped with automatic taxi-takeoff and landing (ATOL) and satellite communication (SATCOM) systems for an extended range.

HAL's collaboration is also with Defense Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) for two separate drone projects to ramp up surveillance across borders and over parts of Indian Ocean.

India-US military drill near LAC

India will soon flex its military might before China when it participates with US in a two-week-long joint exercise less than 100 kilometres from LAC. As part of  18th edition of exercise "Yudh Abhyas", military drills will be conducted at an altitude of 10,000 feet in Uttarakhand's Auli from October 14 to 31.

Meant to increase understanding, cooperation, and interoperability between US and Indian Army, previous Yudh Abhyas was organised in US state of Alaska last October.