Army looks at drones to improve logistics in high-altitude battlefields such as Siachen

In an effort to improve its logistics capabilities in the high Himalayas, the army has issued a Request for Information (RFI) for the procurement of 2,715 logistics drones. The tender, floated on Wednesday, seeks to equip the Army with unmanned aerial systems capable of sustaining troops deployed in forward areas, including high-altitude posts.The high-tech drones are intended to provide last-mile connectivity to far-flung posts strung across high ridgelines on the Line of Control, against Pakistan and Line of Actual Control, facing China. The army is seeking three different types of drones that will be based on the altitudes at which these systems operate. The procurements of these systems will be for operations in low-altitude platforms for up to 6,000 feet, mid-altitude variants for 6,000–12,000 feet and high-altitude systems designed to function between 12,000 and 20,000 feet.These flying machines are to operate in far-flung areas and operate in a wide temperature range of 50°C to -30°C. The high-tech systems needed by the army are to be equipped with both GPS and India’s NavIC satellite navigation system, obstacle-detection sensors, thermal imaging and robust electronic counter-countermeasures to resist jamming and spoofing. The army has also mandated an identification friend or foe feature to prevent misclassification as hostile aircraft, which could lead to friendly fire incidents. The army wants the system to be deployable from unprepared sites, require only a two or three-member crew, and withstand at least 1,000 landings over a minimum service life of seven years.The Indian Army is moving to integrate logistics drones into its supply chain for high-altitude posts, where traditional resupply remains both costly and cumbersome. Remote positions along the LAC have long relied on helicopter sorties, but aging Cheetah fleets, adverse weather and high operational costs have exposed vulnerabilities. Foot-based transport is slow and manpower-intensive.Domestic industry has responded with platforms tailored to these demands. BonV Aero’s Air Hans drone offers a 20-kg payload, a 12-km range and an endurance of 30 minutes, with an operational ceiling of 16,500 feet. IdeaForge’s Yeti drone, designed for harsher conditions, supports payloads between 50 and 200 kg and altitude capability up to 6,500 meters. The army has been hosting events such as HIM-DRONE-A-THON and HIMTECH in Ladakh, positioning high-altitude regions as testbeds for unmanned logistics and soldier-support technologies.