Study estimates count of UAVs required for the three Services

The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Gen Anil Chauhan recently ordered two studies to be conducted on major military platforms used by all three services. According to defence sources these platforms are Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) and armoured helicopters. The study on UAVs has since been completed with a recommendation to acquire 31 MQ-9B High Altitude Long Endurance (HALE) UAVs and 155 Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) UAVs.

“The studies, undertaken by triservice teams, are meant to optimise the number of platforms required as well as the resources and avoid duplication,” a defence source with knowledge of the matter explained. “The first study was conducted in August-September and the report has been finalised. For the second study, the Terms of Reference are currently being finalised and the study is expected to begin in a month of two,” two sources independently confirmed.

“The broad outcome of the study on UAVs was a requirement for 31 MQ-9B HALE UAVs and 155 MALE UAVs. While the deal for MQ-9Bs is in progress, the division of the 155 MALE UAVs between the three services is yet to be decided,” the second source stated.

The three services operate a large number of Israeli Heron MALE UAVs. A major upgrade to weaponise and incorporate satellite communication on these UAVs, estimated to cost ₹21000 crore, has been pending for several years. Following the study, officials have expressed confidence that this will now get cleared.

In June, the Defence Ministry cleared the procurement of 31 MQ-9B UAVs from General Atomics, 15 Sea Guardians for the Indian Navy and 16 Sky Guardians – eight each for the Indian Army and Air Force, at an estimated cost of $3,072 million though the US Foreign Military Sales route.

Last month, just ahead of talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Joe Biden on the sidelines of the G20 summit, the Defence Ministry issued the Letter of Request (LoR) to the US Government. Based on LOR, the US Government and MoD will finalise the Letter of Offer and Acceptance (LOA) where details of equipment and terms of the procurement would be negotiated and finalised.

16/10/2023 Dinakar Peri/The Hindu

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Assam youths develop AI-driven traffic management platform for drones

Guwahati: As drones revolutionise military, commercial and other activities, an imperative need for 'traffic management' of these flying objects has emerged with a start-up by two entrepreneurs from Assam providing solutions for it.

Already working with the Indian Air Force for detection and counter-measures of drones, the duo has now come out with an intelligent airspace management platform, which was launched at the 'East Tech 2023', a two-day defence expo which concluded on October 11.

"While most companies are making drones, we are focusing on drone airspace management as it's equally important for sustainable growth of the drone ecosystem. Just like automobiles require road traffic management to run safely and efficiently, the same analogy applies for drone airspace," Manash Bhuyan, Managing Director and Co-founder of AVGARDE, told PTI.

Avgarde Systems Pvt Ltd (AVGARDE), co-founded by Manash Bhuyan and Nilutpal Choudhury in 2018, is a startup incubated at IISc Bangalore, and IIT Guwahati.

It is a radio frequency and wireless technology-focused deeptech start-up building an AI-driven object sensing platform for low-altitude airspace management.

Both founders have relocated from Dubai and Germany respectively to pursue their passions.

It has announced launch of 'DeepSense', a platform addressing complex challenges presented by drones in terms of their operational environment which needs to be managed efficiently and effectively to ensure the safety of aviation, public, operators and other stakeholders.

The platform has various applications across multiple market segments, including airports airspace safety, critical infrastructure protection, drone fleet operations, unmanned traffic management, security monitoring, aerospace and defence, amongst others, they claimed.

Explaining the functioning of the AI-based platform developed by the company, Nilutpal Choudhury, CEO and Co-Founder said, "We have already put in place technologies through which drones can be identified, tackled and their movement inhibited. A 'bird detection and monitoring radar' (BDMR) is also among our products which can prevent 'bird aircraft strike hazard' (BASH) for airport operators and ensure aviation safety."

16/10/2023 PTI/Times of India

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Why drones need to be part of public healthcare in India

With India’s diverse and distinct topographical variations and geographical spread, last-mile service deliveries in the country face chronic challenges, particularly in the healthcare sector. Infrastructural constraints and unequal distribution of medical facilities coupled with geographical constraints, especially in the remote and rural regions of the country, continue to hamper the timely and efficient delivery of medical supplies.

Certain places cannot be reached by traditional modes of transport, such as trucks and vans, owing to rugged terrain that requires specialized trucks and drivers. While this approach often manages to address the immediate problems, it comes with substantial implications for cost and may not be sustainable in the long term.

As a result, taking advantage of innovative technologies, such as drones or autonomous vehicles, for last-mile healthcare deliveries is gaining momentum. Globally, firms and organizations have successfully launched projects to incorporate drones into last-mile delivery operations. Drones have shown the ability to overcome logistical obstacles, improve accessibility and increase the efficiency of transporting products and services to remote or difficult-to-reach regions.

Drones could be a game changer in overcoming the challenges of last-mile health service delivery in India.

On 25 August 2021, India’s Ministry of Civil Aviation issued liberalized rules for drones, allowing greater use of drones for service deliveries while maintaining safety and security. With the implementation of these rules, the notion of on-demand drone delivery has become the country’s breakthrough invention, capable of realizing the long-delayed aim of equitable healthcare access to save and improve lives.

12/10/2023 European Sting

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Farming takes to the skies: IIT Kanpur and CSAU to work jointly on agricultural drones

India's agricultural sector has welcomed several innovations over the last few years. Adding to such new tools and technology, IIT Kanpur and Chandra Shekhar Azad University of Agriculture have decided to collaborate on a project, aimed at creating efficient agricultural drones.

Currently, an Agricultural fair is underway at the CSAU in Kanpur. Several other new innovations and technologies in the field of agriculture are being introduced and discussed at the ongoing fair. Additionally, an awareness campaign for farmers is also being conducted at the fair to make them adept at using the latest technology to boost their crops and profits.

As part of the Agricultural fair, IIT Kanpur and CSA University have decided to come together to build agricultural drones. Based on the initial reports, these drones will have the capability to oversee crops, ensure safety, and sprinkle fertilizers and pesticides in fields.

11/10/2023 Aditya Vikram/Knock Sense

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Ministry of Civil Aviation announces new drone policy

New Delhi: The Ministry of Civil Aviation has announced the implementation of the updated Drone (Amendment) Rules 2023 for drone pilots, which came into effect on September 27 this year, an official said.

This initiative is intended to advance, encourage, and streamline drone activities nationwide, with the goal of establishing India as a prominent global drone hub by 2030, as per the official.

“Exercising the power bestowed upon it by Section 5, Sub-section 2 of Section 10 and Sections 10A, 10B, and 12A of the Aircraft Act, 1934 (22 of 1934), the Ministry of Civil Aviation has notified the new Drone (Amendment) Rules 2023 for drone pilots,” the notification read.

“After the amendment, it has now been made clear that a government issued proof of identity and a government issued proof of address, i.e., voter ID, ration card or driving licence can now be accepted to apply for a Remote Pilot Certificate if the drone pilot does not have a passport,” it stated.

"The prerequisite of having a passport was becoming a hurdle for aspiring drone pilots, especially in the agricultural sector across rural India. This effort is to further liberalise, promote and facilitate drone operations across the country and make India a global drone hub by 2030,” it added.

06/10/2023 Daijiworld

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