Following Operation Sindoor, two key commands of the Army have asked the domestic industry for technology solutions for drones, AI and latest satellite communication gadgetry.The Northern Command, headquartered at Udhampur, and the Central Command, headquartered at Lucknow, will be jointly hosting a ‘tech-symposium’ in which domestic industry will present possible solutions to these specific demands.The focus of the event, which will be held in May, will be drones, which have become a potent warfare tool. The Ministry of Defence, in September last year, released the Technology Perspective Capability Roadmap (TPCR) and listed multiple types of drones which are needed.The two Army Commands have asked the industry to come up with options for ‘kamikaze’ systems, vertical launched anti-tank loitering ammunition, high-altitude drones with satellite communication capability, drone-based radars which can look under tree foliage; and high-altitude long-endurance surveillance swarms, a drone system which can neutralize radars.The industry has been asked to give solutions for use of AI for decoding and translation of intercepted enemy communications, AI-enabled real-time drone threat detection system, AI-based counter-drone electronic warfare system, AI system for detection of camouflaged and concealed military assets, AI-enabled autonomous signal interception of sensors and AI-assisted automated system for combat communication.The two commands are also looking aerial and ground robotic mission system, robots with assault rifle and all-terrain remotely operated dozers.The Northern Command is dual tasked – with Pakistan in Jammu and Kashmir and China along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Eastern Ladakh. The Central Command is tasked along the LAC in the states of Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand.The tech-symposium is centred on the theme on convergence of technology, industry and soldiering. It aims to provide a collaborative platform for the armed forces, industry, innovators and academia to address operational challenges through technology-driven solutions.The symposium will feature technology displayed by industry partners based on the Army’s technological needs aimed at bridging the gap between operational requirements of the armed forces and indigenous technological capabilities, contributing to the broader objective of defence self-reliance.