The Indian Army is currently engaged in efforts to reduce its reliance on animal transport for the delivery of supplies to soldiers at forward posts in border areas. The Army is making progress in the acquisition of logistics drones and the continuous improvement of infrastructure in these remote regions, in addition to the development of robotic mules.
The Army is gradually substituting animal transport with trucks, all-terrain vehicles, and rugged terrain vehicles in mountainous regions to ensure last-mile connectivity. According to Army sources, animal transport has historically been essential due to the difficult geography and terrain of border regions. Nevertheless, it is anticipated that the dependence on animal transport will diminish as infrastructure improves.
In order to guarantee the timely delivery of essential supplies to even the most remote posts, the Army has already incorporated all-terrain vehicles, rugged terrain vehicles, and mini-trucks. Additionally, efforts are underway to acquire cargo drones in order to improve the delivery capabilities of the supply chain.
Advanced solutions for the Army’s logistical requirements are being developed in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) through the development of robotic mules.
A robotic mule prototype has been developed and tested during the summer, according to reliable sources. It will soon be subjected to trials in snowy regions and across a variety of terrain. The Army anticipates a need for approximately 100 robotic mules.
The Army issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) in January of last year, requiring that these robotic mules be procured from indigenous companies.
The Army is in search of a four-legged robot that is capable of autonomously overcoming obstacles and navigating a variety of terrains. The robot should also possess self-recovery capabilities. The robotic mule must be capable of operating in temperatures ranging from minus 20 to plus 45 degrees Celsius and must have a battery life of at least three hours of continuous operation.
At present, mules continue to be extensively employed to transport supplies in high-altitude regions, comprising a substantial portion of the Army’s animal transportation. The Army predicts that the utilisation of animal transport may decrease by 50–60% by 2030. Nevertheless, animal transport continues to be indispensable for the delivery of goods in numerous border regions.
Although efforts are being made to decrease the dependence on animal transport, it will still be necessary to a certain extent in the future. Significant factors include challenging terrain and severe weather conditions. In Sikkim, animal transport was the primary means of support when roads were washed away by a cloudburst and helicopters were unable to operate due to adverse weather. Despite the fact that the utilisation of animal transport will decrease as technology and infrastructure continue to evolve, it is still essential during catastrophic natural disasters.
-
-
-
-
