Indian Army Partners With IIT Kanpur For Developing Avalanche Victim Detection System

The Indian Army’s Central Command has partnered with IIT-Kanpur to develop an Auto-Luminescent Avalanche Victim Detection System (AAVDS). The system is designed to improve the safety of soldiers in high-altitude, glaciated regions by enabling swift detection of soldiers buried in avalanche snow.

This collaboration aims to leverage indigenous technology to create cutting-edge rescue tools for extreme environments.

How will the Avalanche Victim Detection System work?

The Auto-Luminescent Avalanche Victim Detection System (AAVDS) aims to drastically reduce rescue times in avalanche-prone areas by providing a reliable method to detect and locate soldiers buried beneath snow. The system will feature a luminescent liquid deployed from a compact device worn by soldiers.

This liquid will mark the soldier’s location in the snow, significantly increasing the chances of a successful rescue operation and survival. The collaboration seeks to harness local technological capabilities to create a solution tailored to the Indian Army’s needs in high-altitude zones.

Why is the partnership between the Indian Army, IIT-Kanpur important?

Lieutenant General Anindya Sengupta, the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Surya Command, described the partnership as a pivotal step in advancing indigenous innovation to equip the armed forces with state-of-the-art tools.

By leveraging local expertise, this collaboration strengthens India’s self-reliance in defence technology, enhancing the operational effectiveness of soldiers in challenging environments. IIT Kanpur’s involvement brings research-driven solutions to real-world military challenges, contributing to the development of life-saving technologies.

What is the potential of this technology beyond military use?

The AAVDS technology is not limited to military applications. It also holds promise for civilian use, particularly for mountaineers and adventure enthusiasts in avalanche-prone regions. The system’s ability to quickly locate individuals trapped under snow can offer enhanced safety to civilians in high-risk areas. This dual-use potential further emphasises the strategic value of the technology in both defence and civilian domains.

The project will be overseen by an Ordnance Maintenance Company under the Central Command’s headquarters, with the initiative being led by Lieutenant Colonel Piyush Dhariwal. Both the military and civilian applications of AAVDS represent a significant step forward in ensuring safety and operational efficiency in extreme environments.