Amidst the ongoing standoff, India and China have amassed thousands of troops in the area following a deadly clash in June 2020 with every single nation not probably to move back to either side of Finger 1 to 8, overlooking the Pangong Tso Lake.
With the temperatures touching pretty much something amongst minus 30-40 degree Celsius, the Indian Army soldiers are manning the posts exactly where the situations are really inhospitable. In today’s hi-tech planet, it is the physical bravery of these males who are not only surviving against all odds but prepared to sacrifice their lives.
Over the final half a century, more than 50 Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) Labs have been sanctioned by the government for Defence connected work. Around a dozen of these labs which are supposed to work on options connected to a soldier’s overall health assistance method, with these named according to the trouble faced on the front as a remedy.
The troops stationed at higher altitude locations such as Siachen, Ladakh demand High altitude gear, clothes, unique ration and sleeping facilities to face the onslaught of the inclement climate and ailments triggered by really cold climate situations. Comptroller Auditor General (CAG) of India has highlighted that delays occurred in the procurement of higher altitude clothes and gear things resulting in an acute shortage of critical things like clothes, snow goggles and so on.
The very same CAG Report also states that from 2004-05 to 2015-16, DRDO Lab DMRL completed 22 projects for R&D goal but only two Transfer of Technology (ToT) agreements occurred with the Industrial Partners for complete-scale production. But these two ToTs also failed to ultimately provide the complete Industrial scale production.
Exoskeletons
As has been reported earlier by TheSpuzz Online, DRDO Lab carries out various R&D in the bio-engineering and electro-health-related technologies so that technological advancement reaches the soldiers. One instance becoming exoskeletons which can be worn by more than a common uniform or combat gear so that a soldier’s strength is augmented. This shall guarantee these soldiers out on patrol duty can put on leg-gear which assists in walking in the snow, thereby lowering exhaustion and fatigue faced by the soldier in a thin oxygen climate. For the Indian soldier, such futuristic technologies which could have helped in the minus 30-40 degrees Celsius temperature is nevertheless a extended way to fructify.
A senior officer who wished to stay anonymous has told TheSpuzz Online, “This is an R&D project on which DRDO is spending resources and manpower on their own and does not have a sanction from the services, hence not planned for delivery. It may be prudent that such ad-hoc projects can be allocated to the private Industry; along with fund allocation for better results and ensures ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ motto in the Defence sector is sustained.”
What is the existing status of Exoskeletons
Responding to TheSpuzz Online on the existing status of the Exoskeletons, the DRDO says, “DEBEL as the nodal lab has taken up augmentative exoskeleton development utilizing in house expertise in disciplines of Biomedical/Biomechanics, actuators and control systems, towards enhancing Indian soldiers’ performance in military scenarios. Various configurations of exoskeleton like upper extremity, lower extremity and full-body exoskeletons are being developed involving various DRDO laboratories.”
“Since the exoskeletons are application-specific and wearer/person-specific; DEBEL has carried out the systematic full-body data collection of biomechanical parameters on Indian soldier’s anthropometry during their specific mission activities and also carried out musculoskeletal modelling and simulation to understand the muscle forces acting on soldiers, with and without wearing the exoskeleton. Based on this simulation and muscle force activity, DRDO has developed a laboratory prototype model of the powered exoskeleton and currently it is undergoing functional validation at the laboratory. DRDO is currently working on Optimization, Joint compliance mechanism, Innovative payload transfer mechanism and biomechanical design, Indigenous actuators and Reduction of system weight using composites,” the response to TheSpuzz Online from DRDO states.
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A senior Army officer who wished to stay anonymous has recommended “deputing young generation of scientists at DRDO to forward postings, just as is being considered for Indian citizen’s Tour of Duty. Such a posting will help scientists who are working in various Life sciences labs of DRDO to understand the needs and requirements of the soldier. This will help in their research and development of various products and solutions for the men serving in extreme weather conditions and altitudes.”
Objective milestones for delivery to the military against the sanctioned manpower and price range, along with an active Private sector participation are some of the adjustments anticipated when Indian soldiers are engaged in a tussle of strength at the border. Every ounce of assistance to these soldiers tends to make a large distinction in safeguarding India’s sovereignty.
Some crucial military technologies which are however to be delivered to the finish-user contain or lack of timely delivery of crucial military technologies like indigenous Kaveri engine for Tejas, AIP (Air Independent Propulsion) for submarines Rustom drones are couple of of the examples of today, whilst Main Battle Tank (MBT) Arjun and other people have been of the previous.
Future of `Tejas’ with Indigenous Kaveri Engine: A extended way to go
Similar to different Occupational Health and Safety Standards in location, it is higher time that DRDO delivers the simple technologies for Indian soldiers by means of the indigenous Industry partners. Such technologies expected for private Health and Safety of the Indian soldiers detailed on the frontline are non-negotiable and require unique assessment by Ministry of Defence (MoD) for powerful Project Management.