Army uses homegrown drone tech to revolutionize landslide rescue in Sikkim

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaJune 24, 2025

In a groundbreaking shift for disaster response in remote Himalayan regions, the Indian Army deployed an indigenous Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) drone during rescue operations following the June 1 landslides in Lachen, Sikkim. The move marked a significant leap in integrating homegrown deep-tech solutions into high-risk military and emergency operations.

The landslide, located 123 km from Gangtok, resulted in the tragic loss of three soldiers, with six others reported missing. In response, the Army enlisted BonV Aero, a Tier II city-based startup, to deploy its UAV-mounted GPR system. Within 24 hours, the drone was airborne, scanning unstable terrain that would have otherwise required manual digging, sniffer dogs, and traditional ground-based equipment.

The drone identified underground anomalies at depths of 0.76 m and 0.015 m. Excavation at both points led directly to human remains—precise results that eliminated the need for broader, riskier searches.

“The Indian Army’s swift deployment of our technology reflects a growing trust in homegrown innovation,” said BonV Aero CEO Satyabarata Satapathy. “It’s proof that a solution built in one part of the country can serve national needs in real-time.”

Real-time data from the drone was streamed onto a digital map, giving Army engineers a critical advantage. “This isn’t just about visuals from above,” explained CTO Abinash Sahoo. “Our drone delivers subsurface insight—something neither thermal imaging nor canine units can offer in unstable terrain.”

Traditionally, high-altitude rescues have been slow, dangerous, and manpower-intensive. The Lachen operation, however, showed how tech-driven agility can save time, reduce risk, and reshape emergency protocols in some of the country’s most inaccessible regions.

By bridging innovation with on-the-ground action, the Indian Army and BonV Aero have set a precedent: the agile adoption of Indian technology can redefine national responses during natural disasters.