At 19000 ft., Army activates internet for jawans in Siachen
In a first, the Indian Army on Sunday activated satellite based internet service for soldiers at the world’s highest battlefield in Ladakh at above 19000 feet of height.
As per officials, Siachen Signallers activated the satellite-based internet service on the Siachen Glacier at 19,061 feet.
Army’s Leh based Fire & Fury Corps (24 Corps) said that this is the world’s highest battlefield where satellite-based internet service has been activated.
Earlier, in the day, the Army invited the Indian defence industry to offer critical defence equipment for emergency procurement. For this, proposals have been fielded for guns, missiles, drones, counter-drone, loiter ammunition, communication and optical systems, specialist vehicles, engineering equipment and alternative energy resources.
“The Indian Army invites the Indian defence industry to offer critical defence equipment for emergency procurement. Proposals fielded for guns, missiles, drones, counter-drone, loiter munition, communication & optical systems, specialist Vehicles, engg. equipment & alt energy resources,” Indian Army’s spokesperson said.
Apart from this, the Indian Army added that the process of procurement will be based on compressed timelines, wherein the procurement window will be open to Indian Industry for 6 months and the industry would be expected to deliver equipment within a year of signing the contract. Procurement cases will be based on Open Tender Enquiry, the force said.
Earlier in the day, the Vice Chief of the Army Staff (VCOAS) Lt Gen BS Raju visited various Defence Industries and Research Laboratories including Missile Strategic Systems, Defence Research Development Lab, Centre for High Energy Systems & Sciences, Research Centre Imarat and Bharat Dynamics Ltd at Hyderabad.
Lt Gen BS Raju was briefed on the latest research, development and manufacturing projects being undertaken by the establishments.
In June this year, the Defence Acquisition Council cleared capital acquisition proposals of the Armed Forces amounting to ₹76,390 crore to ‘Buy (Indian)’, ‘Buy & Make (Indian)’ and ‘Buy (Indian-IDDM)’ categories.
