News Analysis India

Tag: Drones

  • 3,500 drones to light up the sky over Raisina Hills for ‘Beating the Retreat’ ceremony

    By Express News Service

    NEW DELHI: The Beating Retreat ceremony this year will bring the biggest collection of indigenous drones within the country enthralling the audience with the drones configuring myriad forms of national figures and events through smooth synchronisation.

    This year’s ‘Beating the Retreat’ ceremony will be graced by the President and Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces Droupadi Murmu, at the historic Vijay Chowk, New Delhi on January 29, 2022. The first such show was made a part of the ceremony last. Other dignitaries, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, will witness the show.

    Martial musical tunes with Indian fervour will be the flavour of the ceremony. Performances and music will be played by the bands of the Indian Army, Navy, Air Force and Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF).

    The drone show, like the previous year, has been organised by a startup ‘Botlab Dynamics’ and supported by the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi and the Department of Science & Technology. The depictions of the different themes and formations will include those on start-up ecosystems, the technological prowess of the country’s youth.

    ‘Beating the Retreat’ is a centuries-old military tradition dating from the days when troops disengaged from the battle at sunset. As soon as the buglers sounded the retreat, the troops ceased fighting, sheathed their arms and withdrew from the battlefield. It is for this reason that the custom of standing still during the sounding of retreat has been retained to this day. Colours and standards are cased and flags are lowered at retreats.

    Also, for the first time, a 3-D anamorphic projection will be organised during the Beating Retreat Ceremony 2023 on the façade of North and South Block.

    Drumbeats recall the days when troops, billeted in towns and cities, were recalled to their quarters at an appointed time in the evening. Based on these military traditions, ‘Beating the Retreat’ ceremony creates a mood of nostalgia for the times gone by.

    NEW DELHI: The Beating Retreat ceremony this year will bring the biggest collection of indigenous drones within the country enthralling the audience with the drones configuring myriad forms of national figures and events through smooth synchronisation.

    This year’s ‘Beating the Retreat’ ceremony will be graced by the President and Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces Droupadi Murmu, at the historic Vijay Chowk, New Delhi on January 29, 2022. The first such show was made a part of the ceremony last. Other dignitaries, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, will witness the show.

    Martial musical tunes with Indian fervour will be the flavour of the ceremony. Performances and music will be played by the bands of the Indian Army, Navy, Air Force and Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF).

    The drone show, like the previous year, has been organised by a startup ‘Botlab Dynamics’ and supported by the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi and the Department of Science & Technology. The depictions of the different themes and formations will include those on start-up ecosystems, the technological prowess of the country’s youth.

    ‘Beating the Retreat’ is a centuries-old military tradition dating from the days when troops disengaged from the battle at sunset. As soon as the buglers sounded the retreat, the troops ceased fighting, sheathed their arms and withdrew from the battlefield. It is for this reason that the custom of standing still during the sounding of retreat has been retained to this day. Colours and standards are cased and flags are lowered at retreats.

    Also, for the first time, a 3-D anamorphic projection will be organised during the Beating Retreat Ceremony 2023 on the façade of North and South Block.

    Drumbeats recall the days when troops, billeted in towns and cities, were recalled to their quarters at an appointed time in the evening. Based on these military traditions, ‘Beating the Retreat’ ceremony creates a mood of nostalgia for the times gone by.

  • Drone activity along India-Pak border in Punjab poses challenge for security agencies: Officials

    By PTI

    CHANDIGARH: Movement of drones for airdropping drugs, arms and ammunition continues to pose a challenge for security agencies with over 150 such activities noticed this year so far at several points along the India-Pakistan border in Punjab, said officials.

    They said the use of drones for the smuggling narcotics, arms and ammunition first came to notice in 2019 in Punjab.

    The Border Security Force, which is guarding the 553 km stretch of border with Pakistan, has this year shot down 10 drones–three in the last week–besides thwarting intrusion of many unmanned aerial vehicles, the officials said.

    “More than 150 drone activities have been spotted so far,” said a senior official of the BSF (Punjab Frontier).

    One drone was shot down near the Shahpur border outpost in Amritsar on October 14, two were gunned down on October 16 and 17 in the Amritsar sector, said the officials.

    The officials said smugglers backed by Pakistan’s spy agency ISI are using sophisticated and high-end Chinese drones, with minimum sound and capable of flying at higher level.

    A drone which was shot down on October 14 was a quadcopter (DJI Matrice) and a holding and releasing mechanism also found with this drone.

    Most drone activities have been concentrated in areas along the international border in Amritsar and Tarn Taran districts, said the officials.

    However, drone movements have also been spotted in Ferozepur and Gurdaspur areas, they added.

    The BSF had coordinated with the Punjab Police in busting a gang involved in smuggling of narcotics and weapons from across the border in Tarn Taran area this year, said the senior BSF official.

    Last month, the BSF had decided to shoot Indian smugglers who come to collect narcotics and weapons, smuggled from Pakistan, near the international border.

    “If a smuggler comes to receive the consignment or attacks, the law permits us to fire at the smuggler,” said the BSF official.

    The BSF has also decided to reward its personnel who gun down a drone sneaking into Indian territory.

    In April this year, the BSF had announced to give Rs 1 lakh reward to a person who provides information leading to the arrest of persons using drones for smuggling of narcotics, arms and ammunition from Pakistan.

    CHANDIGARH: Movement of drones for airdropping drugs, arms and ammunition continues to pose a challenge for security agencies with over 150 such activities noticed this year so far at several points along the India-Pakistan border in Punjab, said officials.

    They said the use of drones for the smuggling narcotics, arms and ammunition first came to notice in 2019 in Punjab.

    The Border Security Force, which is guarding the 553 km stretch of border with Pakistan, has this year shot down 10 drones–three in the last week–besides thwarting intrusion of many unmanned aerial vehicles, the officials said.

    “More than 150 drone activities have been spotted so far,” said a senior official of the BSF (Punjab Frontier).

    One drone was shot down near the Shahpur border outpost in Amritsar on October 14, two were gunned down on October 16 and 17 in the Amritsar sector, said the officials.

    The officials said smugglers backed by Pakistan’s spy agency ISI are using sophisticated and high-end Chinese drones, with minimum sound and capable of flying at higher level.

    A drone which was shot down on October 14 was a quadcopter (DJI Matrice) and a holding and releasing mechanism also found with this drone.

    Most drone activities have been concentrated in areas along the international border in Amritsar and Tarn Taran districts, said the officials.

    However, drone movements have also been spotted in Ferozepur and Gurdaspur areas, they added.

    The BSF had coordinated with the Punjab Police in busting a gang involved in smuggling of narcotics and weapons from across the border in Tarn Taran area this year, said the senior BSF official.

    Last month, the BSF had decided to shoot Indian smugglers who come to collect narcotics and weapons, smuggled from Pakistan, near the international border.

    “If a smuggler comes to receive the consignment or attacks, the law permits us to fire at the smuggler,” said the BSF official.

    The BSF has also decided to reward its personnel who gun down a drone sneaking into Indian territory.

    In April this year, the BSF had announced to give Rs 1 lakh reward to a person who provides information leading to the arrest of persons using drones for smuggling of narcotics, arms and ammunition from Pakistan.

  • Make-In-India push: Government bans import of drones; provides certain exceptions

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: The government on Wednesday banned import of foreign drones with certain exceptions as part of efforts to promote domestic manufacturing of drones in the country.

    Import of drones for R&D, defence and security purposes have been exempted from the ban but such imports will require due clearances.

    “Import of drone components, however, shall not require any approvals,” the civil aviation ministry said in a release on Wednesday.

    The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) under the commerce and industry ministry has issued a notification banning the import of foreign drones.

    “Import policy for drones in CBU (Completely Built Up)/CKD (Completely Knocked Down)/SKD (Semi Knocked Down ) form is prohibited with exceptions provided for R and D, defence and security purposes,” DGFT said.

    Import of drones by government entities, educational institutions recognised by central or state government, government recognised R&D entities and drone manufacturers for R&D purpose will be allowed in CBU, SKD or CKD form.

    This will be subject to import authorisation issued by DGFT in consultation with concerned line ministries.

    Import of drones for defence and security purposes will be allowed in CBU, SKD or CKD form subject to import authorisation issued by DGFT in consultation with concerned line ministries.

    The civil aviation ministry said that in order to promote Made in India drones, import of foreign drones has been prohibited with effect from February 9, 2022.

    The ministry came out with liberalised drone rules in August 2021.

    After the rules, the ministry issued the drone airspace map and PLI scheme in September 2021, UTM policy framework in October 2021.

    Besides, drone certification scheme and single window DigitalSky Platform were put in place last month.

  • COVID vaccine delivery through drones starts in Northeast, says Health Minister

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Monday launched an initiative to facilitate COVID-19 vaccine delivery to tough and hard-to-reach terrains of the Northeast through drones.

    The ICMR’s Drone Response and Outreach in North East (i-Drone), a delivery model to make sure that life-saving COVID vaccines reach everyone, is in line with the government’s commitment to ‘Antyodaya’ in health – making healthcare accessible to the last citizen of the country, officials said.

    “This is for the first time that a “Make in India’ drone has been used in South Asia to transport COVID-19 vaccine over an aerial distance of 15 km in 12-15 mins from the Bishnupur district hospital to Loktak lake, Karang island in Manipur for administration at the PHC.

    “The actual road distance between these locations is 26 km. Today, 10 beneficiaries will receive the first dose and eight will receive the second dose at the PHC,” Mandaviya said.

    Thanking Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Union Health Minister said, “Under his leadership, the nation is progressing at a great pace.

    “Today is a historic day, which showed us how technology is making life easier and bringing social change.”

    India is home to geographical diversities and drones can be used to deliver essentials to the last mile, he said.

    “We can use drones in delivering important life-saving medicines, collecting blood samples. This technology can also be used in critical situations. This technology may prove a game-changer in addressing the challenges in health care delivery, particularly health supplies in difficult areas,” Mandaviya said.

    Launching the initiative which would facilitate vaccine delivery to hard-to-reach terrains of India, the Union Health Minister said, “Our immunisation programme for COVID-19 has already exceeded all expectations.

    “I strongly believe that this initiative will further help us achieve the highest possible immunisation coverage for COVID-19. Incorporating such drone technologies into the national programmes would help deliver other vaccines and medical supplies as quickly as possible.”

    Despite the effective and safe vaccine administration in the states and Union Territories, the vaccine delivery in tough and hard-to-reach terrains of India is still challenging.

    The i-Drone has been designed to overcome these challenges by deploying Unmanned Aerial vehicles (UAV) / drones to remote areas, the health ministry said.

    Currently, the drone-based delivery project has been granted permission for implementation in Manipur and Nagaland, as well as the Union Territory of Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

    The ICMR conducted an initial study in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur to test the capacity of drones to carry and transfer vaccines safely.

    The study was conducted in Manipur, Nagaland and Andaman and Nicobar.

    These studies provided promising results on the basis of which the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA), Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and other regulatory authorities have granted permission to fly drones beyond the Visual Line Of Sight.

    Mandaviya expressed confidence in the initiative and noted that it can be helpful in delivering not only vaccines but also other medical supplies.

    This will help in overcoming the gaps in current vaccine delivery mechanisms, he said He thanked the Ministry of Civil Aviation, DGCA and the Airport Authority of India for their support towards this endeavour and congratulated ICMR, health workers and all associated with this landmark initiative.

  • Aviation Ministry grants permission to use drones to 10 organisations

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: The Civil Aviation Ministry on Monday gave conditional permission to 10 organisations, including Mahindra and Mahindra, Steel Authority of India (SAIL) and Bayer Crop Science, to use drones for various purposes.

    In a statement, the ministry said the Karnataka government is one of the 10 organisations and it has got the permission to conduct “drone based aerial survey for creating urban property ownership records in Bengaluru”.

    Mahindra and Mahindra has got permission to conduct “drone-based agricultural trials” and use drones for precision spraying on paddy and hot pepper crop in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, it mentioned.

    Two organisations — Gujarat-based Blue Ray Aviation and Telangana-based Asia Pacific Flight Training Academy — have been permitted to conduct “remote pilot training using drones”, the ministry’s statement noted.

    Bayer Crop Science has got the permission to conduct “drone-based agricultural research activities” and use drones for agricultural spraying, it mentioned.

    The National Health Mission in Mumbai has also got the permission to conduct experimental BVLOS (beyond visual line-of-sight) drone flights to deliver essential healthcare items in tribal areas of Jawhar in Palghar district of Maharashtra.

    Gangtok Smart City Development has got the permission for drone-based aerial survey for its smart city project, the ministry’s statement mentioned.

    It said SAIL has got the permission to use drones to conduct “perimeter surveillance” of its steel plant in Burnpur, West Bengal.

    Chennai-based Tractors and Farm Equipment Limited has got the permission to conduct “drone-based aerial spraying” to assess crop health and prevent crop disease.

    The ministry said Pune-based Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology to conduct atmospheric research at five different locations in the country.

    The ministry said it has granted conditional exemption to the aforementioned 10 organisations from the Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) Rules, 2021, and it is ‘valid for a period of one year from the date of approval or until further orders’.

  • India lodges strong objection with Pakistan over drone activities in Jammu area

    By PTI
    JAMMU: India on Saturday lodged a strong protest over drone activities by Pakistan authorities in Jammu areas during a sector commander-level meeting between the Border Security Force and the Pakistan Rangers, officials said.

    The meeting was held at the request of Pakistan Rangers at the International Border (IB) in the Suchetgarh area and it was decided to re-energise instant communication between field commanders, whenever required, to resolve the operational matters, a BSF spokesperson said.

    Commanders of both the border guarding forces discussed various issues with the main emphasis by the BSF delegation on Pakistani drone activities, terrorist activities and digging of tunnels from across the border and other issues related to border management, he said.

    A very strong protest was lodged by BSF delegates regarding drone activities by Pakistan authorities in the Jammu area, the officials said.

    At the same time, both sides expressed their commitment to maintaining peace and harmony at the IB, they said.

    “It was the first sector commander level meeting between two border guarding forces after the declaration of ceasefire agreement by DGMOs (in February),” the spokesperson said.

    “The meeting was held in a cordial, positive and constructive atmosphere and both sides agreed on an expeditious implementation of the decisions taken in the earlier DG-level talks and committed to each other to maintain peace and harmony at the IB,” he said.

  • Lashkar’s role behind drone surge, says J&K DGP Dilbagh Singh

    Express News Service
    SRINAGAR:  Amid rising instances of drone sighting near the International Border and military installations in Jammu region, Director General of Police (DGP) Dilbagh Singh on Monday said militant outfits were continuously attempting to use drones for militant activities.

    Chairing a high-level joint security meeting at Police Headquarters, Jammu, Singh said: “Lashkar’s role has been established in most of the arms smuggling through drones along the LoC and International Border.” He said that modern technology has been deployed to counter the threat.

    On June 27, two drones dropped low intensity Improvised Explosive Devices on an IAF base in Jammu, damaging the rooftop of one of the buildings and injuring two personnel. After June 27, there have been about six instances of drone sightings on the border or over military installations in Jammu region.

    On July 14, BSF thwarted a drone activity on the Indian side of the International Border in Arnia sector of Jammu. The border guards fired at the drone forcing it to retreat.

  • ‘Need to factor this in our strategy’: Army chief thinks drone warfare will be on the rise

    Express News Service
    NEW DELHI:  A few days after a drone attack on the Indian Air Force base near Jammu, Army Chief General MM Naravane said that these will be used more often in future.

    “Drones will be increasingly used in all sorts of combat in the future, both by the state and non-state actors and we will have to factor this in all our future plans,” General Naravane said on Thursday.

    On June 27, in a first of its kind incident, two drones dropped payload on a building in the air base.

    Talking about challenges, the General said easy availability of drones increases the complexity and challenges the armed forces have to face.

    The Army has planned measures to handle this. “All our troops on ground have been sensitised to this evolving threat and we are developing capabilities to deal with it, both in the kinetic and non-kinetic realms,” said General Naravane.

    Talking about the situation in Kashmir and along the Line of Control, the Army Chief said things have got better.

    “Ever since the ceasefire understanding between the two DGMOs in February this year, the situation in J&K has seen a marked improvement.” 

    There has been little or no infiltration from across the Line of Control and the number of terror-related incidents in the Valley has also seen a considerable decline, General Naravane said.

    “I am sure some inimical elements would not like peace to prevail in the Valley.”

    Asked about the situation along the Line of Actual control in Eastern Ladakh, the Army Chief expressed hope that all issues will get resolved.

    “The situation on LAC has been normal for quite some time, ever since the disengagement took place in February this year from the northern and southern banks of Pangong Tso and as well as the Kailash Ranges. Since then, both sides have strictly adhered to the disengagement in letter and spirit.”

    In February this year, troops from both sides had moved back along with their tanks, artillery and men and had dismantled structures created during the standoff period.

    India and China are engaging at various political and diplomatic levels and also engaging military to military talks at various levels.

    There are more than 50,000 troops deployed along the LAC in the Eastern Ladakh, with ongoing standoffs at the Gogra, Hot spring and Depsang.

    “Talks between us are going on. This has helped build trust between the two sides and going ahead, we are sure that we will be able to resolve all remaining issues,” said General Naravane.

  • In a first, terror attack by drone on Jammu IAF base

    Express News Service
    SRINAGAR:   In a first terror attack of its kind, two low-intensity improvised explosive devices dropped by drones went off in a highly secure Indian Air Force base in Jammu, about 14 km off the International Border, in the early hours on Sunday.

    Both blasts in the technical area of the airbase took place within five minutes of each other. While the first explosion around 1.37 am on an administrative building close to a helicopter hangar left a gaping hole on its roof, the second blast took place around 1.42 am in an open area. Two IAF personnel sustained splinter injuries, but no equipment was damaged. 

    The security establishment saw in it as a major escalation of the situation. A high alert has been sounded across the state and security cover at airports and government installations have been strengthened. Shortly after the attack, teams from the IAF, National Bomb Data Centre, forensic experts, J&K police, NIA, NSG and intelligence agencies reached the spot. The NIA is likely to take over the probe.

    J&K police chief Dilbagh Singh confirmed it was a terror attack. Sources said investigation agencies are trying to ascertain whether the drones had come from across the International Border or were they remotely controlled from within Jammu by terrorists. How they managed to fly into the IAF station, where IAF personnel have observation posts, without being detected is a mystery.

    Sources said security agencies are ascertaining whether the Jaish-e-Mohammad — which carried out the Pathankote airbase attack — was behind the pre-dawn bombing or was Lashkar-e-Toiba involved in it.It is also being ascertained whether the target was an aircraft hangar or were the bombs intentionally dropped away from aircraft to send a message that there is no such thing as a safe installation any longer.

    Whatever the reason, the safety of the IAF station has been breached for the first time in over three decades of militancy in J&K. “The drone attack is a new security challenge for the security agencies. It is a very serious issue and will need serious response,” a security official said. 

    Drone delivery of arms by pak troopsSince last year, Pakistani troops have been using drones to airdrop arms and ammunition for the militants along the International Border and Line of Control in J&K. In June last year, BSF jawans shot down a drone in Kathua district and recovered a US-made M-4 carbine rifle, two magazines, 60 rounds and seven Chinese grenades from the damaged drone. The weapons were meant for Jaish commander Ali Bhai

  • Centre invites bids for delivery of COVID-19 vaccines to remote areas by drones

    By PTI
    NEW DELHI: The government has invited bids for delivery of COVID-19 vaccines and drugs to remote areas and those with difficult terrains in select locations of the country by drones to ensure last-mile coverage.

    The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) conducted a successful feasibility study in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Kanpur and has developed a standard protocol for the delivery of vaccines using Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV), according to the bid document.

    On behalf of the ICMR, the HLL Infra Tech Services Limited (Procurement Support Agency) has invited expression of interest (EOI) through the Central Public Procurement Portal from experienced Indian agencies for the delivery of medical supplies (vaccines/drugs) by UAVs.

    According to the tender criteria, the ICMR shall engage UAV operators who are able to conduct beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) operations in fixed pre-defined flight paths, deliver medical supplies payload at select locations in India and return to the command station.

    During the prevailing pandemic, different agencies are helping the government prevent and control the transmission of COVID-19. The bid document stated that to strengthen the delivery of vaccines, the ICMR successfully conducted a feasibility study to deliver vaccines through UAVs in collaboration with IIT-Kanpur.

    “Based on the preliminary results of the study, the ICMR has developed a standard protocol for the successful delivery of vaccines using a UAV. “Now, based on the experience gained in the feasibility study, the ICMR is keen to develop a model for vaccine delivery by UAV in the field practice area to reach areas to cover last-mile coverage at difficult terrain in selected locations,” it said.

    “The main objective of the proposed work is to develop a medical supplies delivery model and its feasibility in the field practice area by using UAVs in remote inaccessible (hard to reach) areas in selected locations in India,” it added.

    According to the specifications, UAVs should be able to cover a minimum aerial distance of 35 km, able to take off vertically and carry a minimum payload of 4 kg and should be capable of returning to command station after delivering the payload.

    Initially, the tenure of engagement shall be 90 days. This can be extended further depending upon the performance of the UAV operator and the need of the program.