Indian Army Unveils Indigenous Combat Tourniquet to Enhance Battlefield Medical Care
The Indian Army has announced a significant step forward in combat medical care with the launch of a Combat Application Tourniquet (CAT), developed within the country. This unveiling took place during a visit by Lieutenant General NS Raja Subramani, Vice Chief of the Army Staff, to the Directorate General Medical Services (Army).
Lt. General Sadhna S Nair, the first woman to lead the Directorate General Medical Services (Army) since August 2024, hosted the visit. She emphasized the CAT's potential impact on improving survival rates on the battlefield by swiftly managing traumatic bleeding, which is a primary cause of preventable deaths in combat situations.
The CAT, designed and produced in India, is set to become an essential part of medical kits used by frontline soldiers. Research published in the Journal of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery indicates that the use of tourniquets within 10 minutes of injury can decrease mortality from extremity hemorrhage by up to 20%, highlighting the crucial nature of prompt medical intervention.
Lieutenant General Subramani expressed his appreciation for the Army Medical Corps' dedication to boosting operational preparedness and advancing indigenous medical technologies tailored to the distinctive challenges faced by the Indian Army.
According to officials, the CAT will be introduced in forward units following final field trials and integration into existing medical procedures. This development aligns with India’s ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative, which seeks to minimize reliance on foreign-manufactured medical and defense equipment, particularly during crises or conflicts.
This advancement is part of a broader movement to incorporate more indigenous technologies into India’s defense services, supporting efforts to modernize the military with locally developed, mission-specific solutions.
