Indian Army Unveils HIM-DRONE-A-THON 2 and HIMTECH-2024 to Boost Military Technology for High Altitude Operations

New Delhi: The Indian Army has announced two landmark events—HIM-DRONE-A-THON 2 and HIMTECH-2024—focused on advancing military technology for operations in high-altitude areas. These initiatives aim to harness indigenous innovations and showcase the Indian Drone Industry’s capabilities in challenging terrains like those in the Himalayas.

HIM-DRONE-A-THON 2, scheduled for September 17-18, 2024, at Wari La, near Leh, offers Indian drone manufacturers an opportunity to demonstrate their cutting-edge drone solutions in high-altitude environments. This will be followed by HIMTECH-2024 on September 20-21, 2024, which will serve as a platform for industry leaders, technology developers, and academia to discuss and explore new avenues for military technology development, particularly for the Northern Borders.

Major General CS Mann, Additional Director General of the Army Design Bureau, emphasized the unique operational challenges the Indian Army faces in regions like the Siachen Glacier and the rugged Himalayas, where harsh weather and rarified atmospheres severely affect drone operations. He stressed the need for tailor-made, indigenous solutions to meet these demands, adding that success in these conditions could propel India’s drone industry into the global market, establishing the country as a credible drone manufacturing hub.

HIM-DRONE-A-THON 2 will focus on high-altitude drone solutions tailored for the Indian Army. The event will be conducted under real-world conditions at altitudes of 4,000-5,000 meters, where participants will demonstrate surveillance drones, loitering munitions, logistics drones, swarm drones, and other specialized drone capabilities. So far, more than 25 indigenous drone manufacturers have registered for the event, and each will compete in a multifaceted challenge to prove the suitability of their systems in extreme conditions.

Meanwhile, HIMTECH-2024 will be held for the first time in Leh and is expected to focus on the development of technology and systems for operational requirements along the Northern Borders. Organized in collaboration with FICCI, the event will highlight new generation equipment and systems for high-altitude areas, positioning Leh as a future hub for technology developers and industry leaders. HIMTECH-2024 will showcase a wide range of indigenous technologies, including modern unmanned systems, autonomous solutions, all-terrain mobility systems, and advanced soldier systems.