The Eastern Command of the Indian Army recently hosted East Tech 2024, a defence exhibition held on November 5 and 6 in Kolkata. The exhibition showcased advanced technologies and the growing synergy between the Indian Army and India’s defence manufacturing sector. According to the event organizer, East Tech 2024 aligned with the national vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat (Self-Reliant India) and aimed to address operational challenges faced by the Eastern Command.
Highlighting the transformative impact of drone warfare on modern battlefields, Eastern Army Commander Lt. General R C Tiwari emphasized the Indian Army’s focus on enhancing its units and formations with state-of-the-art drones. In his opening address, he called upon the defence industry to provide resilient drones capable of operating in high-altitude and challenging terrains where Indian soldiers are deployed. “We are looking at augmenting our units and formations with potent, state-of-the-art drones,” he stated.
The exhibition provided a platform for Indian manufacturers and startups to demonstrate the latest advancements in defence technologies aimed at helping the Indian Army identify and integrate Indigenous innovations essential for addressing the evolving demands of the Eastern Sector and beyond.
The exhibition, organized in collaboration with the Society of Indian Defence Manufacturers (SIDM), aimed to deepen the technological knowledge of exhibitors by introducing them to cutting-edge technologies and Commercial Off-The-Shelf (COTS) solutions. According to a Ministry of Defence release, East Tech 2024 sought to enhance awareness among defence stakeholders of the latest hardware solutions and innovations developed by Indian manufacturers under the Raksha Atmanirbharta initiative, which promotes self-reliance in defence.
Lt General R C Tiwari observed that over 140 participants in the defence industry showcased their capabilities across various defence manufacturing domains during the two-day event. “We must recognize new threats and challenges that emerge daily and, therefore, look to the defence industry to equip us with necessary battlefield equalizers,” he remarked.
The event included static exhibitions and live demonstrations, offering participants a hands-on experience with Indigenous technologies and the opportunity to observe their capabilities in real-time.
Team BharatShakti
