Indian Army ‘s Havildar Varinder Singh of the Sikh Regiment has developed a ‘multi-purpose octocopter’, which apart from doing surveillance and intelligence, can also drop grenades and fire the target with an automatic rifle. Not only this, this drone can transport heavy goods from one place to another. Havildar Varinder Singh, who made this drone capable of doing different types of work, has been honored with the Vishisht Seva Medal (VSM) by President Draupadi Murmu this year for his achievements.
The specialty is that the multipurpose octocopter can do surveillance while providing live camera feed to its operator. It can be used to deliver essential supplies to forward posts including High Altitude Areas (HAA). The multi-purpose octocopter is also equipped with a platform to fire assault rifles and drop grenades on enemy positions.
Interestingly , even cables can be laid to improve the communication system with the help of this drone. Therefore, the multi-role octocopter has the potential to become a force multiplier in any military operation.
Havildar Varinder Singh says that in remote mountainous areas, roads get closed due to conditions like avalanche etc. and it is difficult to reach army’s posts. In such a situation, with the help of this drone, essential goods like medicines and ration can be delivered timely. Although the army uses drones,these have the capacity to carry only 5 to 10 kg of weight,
The drone developed by Havildar Varinder is so powerful that even 25 kg of weight can be transported with it. This is an in-house developed innovation and has already been successfully tested in plains and high altitude areas.
