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Indian Army is actively working to reduce its reliance on animal transport for delivering supplies to soldiers stationed at forward posts in border areas.
Indian Army is actively working to reduce its reliance on animal transport for delivering supplies to soldiers stationed at forward posts in border areas. This shift involves developing robotic mules and acquiring logistics drones while simultaneously improving infrastructure in these remote regions. In mountainous terrains, the Army is progressively substituting animal transport with trucks, all-terrain vehicles, and rugged terrain vehicles for better last-mile connectivity. Historically, animal transport has been crucial in these challenging geographies, but as infrastructure improves, its necessity is expected to diminish.
The Army is making significant advancements, including the integration of all-terrain vehicles and mini-trucks to ensure timely supply delivery. Additionally, the development of robotic mules, in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), is underway. A prototype of the robotic mule has been created and tested, with plans for further trials in snowy regions and various terrains. The Army anticipates needing around 100 robotic mules.
A Request for Proposal (RFP) was issued last year for these robotic mules, specifying that they should be sourced from indigenous companies. The robotic mules are required to navigate diverse terrains, operate in extreme temperatures ranging from minus 20 to plus 45 degrees Celsius, and have a battery life of at least three hours.
While efforts to decrease animal transport are ongoing, it remains essential, especially in high-altitude areas and during extreme weather events. For instance, when roads were washed away in Sikkim, animal transport was crucial due to the inability of helicopters to operate. Despite technological advancements, animal transport will continue to play a significant role in extreme conditions.
