Army engineers display innovative equipments

Chandigarh, Oct 17 (UNI) In an exercise aimed at educating its own personnel about the latest developments in the field of combat engineering equipment, the Engineering Regiments of the Western Command today organised at Chandimandir an innovative mela-tradition of Innovation 2006 showcasing the innovations and modifications carried out by them for making these equipment more efficient and user-friendly.

Inaugurating the event, Lt Gen A N Aul, Chief of Staff, HQ Western Command highlighted that the display was an ideal platform for the Sappers to share the practical and innovative ideas developed by them in the field of combat engineering, within the engineering regiments of the western theatre and also with other arms and services. This will further strengthen the cohesiveness within the armed forces, he added.

The event, possibly the first of its kind to be conducted at theatre level, is the brainchild of Maj Gen Gautam Bajerjee, Chief Engineer, Western Command. These innovations, which enable availability of low cost, highly effective and locally fabricated equipment, also offset the shortfall in standard equipment that occurs due to periodical maintenance of overhauls.

The display consisted of all kinds of bridges that can be constructed in no time. It also included the bridges that can be constructed mechanically as well as manually. Also on display were the HMV crane, universal store ladder, mine field negotiator, techniques for initiation of IEDs using mobile phones, water current meter and lot many other innovations. Few private firms also displayed the equipment that can assist the Indian Army engineers.

The equipment display was followed by a brainstorming session in which young officers of the Corps put forth their views and deliberated upon the need to make the Corps of Engineers more techno-savvy in tune with the paradigm of 'Digitisation of Battlefield', Maj Gen Gautam Banerjee was of the view that Sappers have always been the front-runners in the field of war winning modifications and need to strive to achieve excellence in this sphere.

Maj Gen Banerjee said, ''The combat engineers of Indian Army are known for their ability to execute their tasks against all odds especially when there is lack of standard equipment and resources.

Engineers have accepted any challenge that has been thrown to them any time even beyond the realm of their equipment to come up with a fitting solution by way of innovative techniques and means.'' ''Innovations are the fundamentals of Combat Engineers as no standard solution or equipment is available for execution of the diverse nature of tasks undertaken against all odds by the Indian Army Engineers in all types of terrain, from the heights of Leh to the rivers and jungles of the north-east, the plains of north India and the scorching deserts of western India'' he added Maj Gen remarked that ''Tradition of Innovation 2006'' aimed at inspiring and encouraging all the Army personnel to come up with even better solutions, living up to the motto of ''Sarvatra''.

About the exhibition of the equipments, Brig PK Mangal said, ''This gives fresh thought and futher enhances the ideas.'' ''The new improvised equipments reduce troops' fatigue by 25 per cent and time upto 20 to 25 per cent,'' he added.

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