- Army Innovating for the Battlefield
- Heroes of Defence Ingenuity
By Sangeeta Saxena
New Delhi. 05 December 2024. Lab is not the only habitat of research and development. In armed forces necessity and resourcefulness push innovation to emerge from the battlefield rather than merely in labs or research facilities. Officers and men alike have long risen to problems with creative solutions that improve operations, save lives, and modernize warfare in the Indian Army, which has a varied and vibrant workforce. Soldiers on the front lines frequently encounter unforeseen circumstances that call for quick, workable fixes. These men and women create equipment and methods that meet particular combat requirements by drawing on their creativity and experience.
In the presence of General Upendra Dwivedi, Chief of the Army Staff, the Indian Army held the Inno-Yoddha 2024-25 Idea & Innovation Competition and Seminar at the Manekshaw Centre in New Delhi. The Indian Army organizes Inno-Yoddha every year. It finds internal innovations to improve operational, logistical, and training capacities, reduce current capability gaps, and boost operational effectiveness.
Following selection at the unit, formation, and command headquarters levels, a total of 75 innovations from various disciplines within the Indian Army were deployed this year. Twenty-two of the top 75 innovations were showcased at the event and honored by the COAS. To meet the needs of field formations, these will be produced under the direction of the Army Design Bureau.
General Upendra Dwivedi, Chief of the Army Staff applauded the creativity and ingenuity of the innovators and exhorted all ranks to imbibe critical thinking and innovative approach to problem solving. Speaking at the event, the COAS said that “recent conflicts have shown that innovation is not just a word; it is a mindset. It is the spark that drives progress and shapes the future”. Congratulating the participants, he said that through their hard work and dedication, they have brought their ideas to this competition. The COAS further said, “Behind each idea, there are countless hours of thought, research, and testing – a testament to their determination to contribute to the force and the nation”.
The Indian Army faces a variety of operational difficulties that are made worse by the unpredictable nature of the terrain, the weather, and enemy threats. Based on the difficulties faced by the soldiers in the field army, the Indian Army encourages in-house inventions. Because of their enthusiasm, professional skill, and technical focus, these troops are able to solve problems in their respective fields with the help of their inherent experience.
The “Inno-Yoddha 2024-25” was a competition that encouraged soldiers to think creatively by facilitating new ideas and innovative solutions. Research and Development (R&D), Design and Development (D&D), Army Technology Board (ATB) Projects, and Base Workshops advance the chosen innovations through product enhancement. For the chosen innovations, intellectual property rights (IPRs) are also acquired. The technology is handed to the industry after successful ruggedization and upgrade in order to satisfy the Indian Army’s needs for industrial-grade bulk production. Additionally, this endeavor supports the Indian Army’s objectives to achieve “Atmanirbhar Bharat.”
Significant innovations have been cultivated at Inno-Yoddha during the last four years, leading to the successful completion of 21 innovations and the filing of 26 IPRs. For three of these advances, technology has also been handed to the commercial sector. Two of them, Agniastra by Red Kite Digital Tech and Exploder by FC Tech, have already been made available; Agniastra was just introduced by the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) during the Army Commanders Conference in October, while Exploder was launched in June 2024. IS Trading Company now owns the third innovation, Vidyut Rakshak.
In order to strengthen defensive positions in difficult environments, soldiers have been known to construct creative field fortifications out of locally accessible materials. Using available equipment and technology, soldiers have developed low-cost ways to create secure communication channels in isolated areas with inadequate communication infrastructure. Officers in the Indian Army are essential in advancing significant advances because of their exposure to state-of-the-art technology and strategic training.
These developments frequently center on improving military safety and operational effectiveness. In order to create lightweight, portable drones that are ideal for reconnaissance in high-altitude areas like Ladakh, army leaders have worked with engineers. Officers took the lead in creating portable solar power systems to support operations in Siachen Glacier, where the bitter cold makes conventional power sources unfeasible.
The individual inventiveness of troops and officers seldom takes front stage in India’s defense innovation, which frequently emphasizes the efforts of organizations like DRDO or private defense companies. There are initiatives in place to recognize and honor these efforts, such as grants and prizes for creative endeavors. Civil authorities are now receiving solutions like water purification systems and portable bridges that were developed for earthquake or flood-affected areas by Army. Farmers in hard-to-reach areas are benefiting from agricultural instruments designed for distant locales and Army has solutions for them too.
The Indian Army is not just a defender of the nation but also a driver of innovation, with soldiers and officers embodying the spirit of “jugaad” which resourceful improvisation and technological foresight. By fostering and leveraging their creativity, the Indian Army continues to enhance its capabilities, contributing not only to national security but also to the development of the broader society. These unsung heroes remind us that innovation is often born where challenges are greatest.
