In a notable advancement for combat medical care, the Indian Army introduced an indigenously developed Combat Application Tourniquet (CAT) during a recent visit by Lieutenant General NS Raja Subramani, Vice Chief of the Army Staff, to the Directorate General Medical Services (Army). This move is expected to significantly enhance battlefield survival rates amid ongoing efforts to bolster medical intervention protocols in combat situations.
The visit was presided over by Lieutenant General Sadhna S Nair, who made history by becoming the first woman to lead the Directorate General Medical Services (Army) since taking on the role in August 2024. During the demonstration of the CAT, she emphasized its critical ability to quickly control traumatic bleeding, a major cause of preventable deaths in combat.
The CAT, which is designed and manufactured in India, is set to become an essential element of frontline medical kits. Research published in the Journal of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery reveals that when tourniquets are applied within 10 minutes of injury, they can reduce mortality rates from extremity hemorrhage by as much as 20%. This statistic underscores the necessity for rapid medical intervention in high-stakes environments.
Lieutenant General Subramani praised the Army Medical Corps for its dedication to enhancing operational readiness and for advancing indigenous medical technologies tailored to meet the specific operational challenges faced by the Indian Army. This development marks a significant step in improving the overall medical response in military operations.
Plans are underway for the CAT to be deployed across forward units following the completion of final field trials and its integration into existing medical protocols. This initiative aligns with India’s ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ campaign, which aims to boost self-sufficiency by decreasing reliance on foreign medical and defense supplies, particularly during times of crisis or conflict.
The introduction of the CAT is part of a broader trend within the Indian defense services, as the military seeks to modernize by adopting an array of locally developed, mission-oriented technologies. This strategy not only enhances operational capabilities but also promotes domestic manufacturing, ensuring that the Indian Armed Forces are well-equipped to handle diverse challenges effectively.
