Indian Army to get new BEML Mechanical Minefield Marking Equipment

January 05, 2024

By:Army Recognition

On January 4, 2024, the Indian government concluded a contract with BEML Ltd for an amount of 329 crores rupees (39.5 million dollars) as part of strengthening the army's capabilities. This contract involves the acquisition of 56 Mechanical Minefield Marking Equipment (MMME) Mark II.

The Mechanical Minefield Marking Equipment Mk-II, developed by R&DE (Engineers), will greatly benefit the Indian army in marking/fencing minefields. The Mk-II is designed to mark minefields at a faster rate, semi-automatically with minimal human intervention. The equipment is capable of marking/fencing at a minimum rate of 1.2 km/h with an inter-picket spacing of 15 m. The system can place pickets with spacing of 10 to 35 m in steps of 5 m. A picket can be driven to a maximum depth of 450 mm by this system.

The Mechanical Minefield Marking Equipment Mk-II, built on a BEML TATRA 6x6, is an 'Atmanirbhar' product, developed through technology transfer from R&D E Engineers, DRDO.

The MMME Mk-II system is designed to operate in the plains of Punjab, as well as the semi-desert and desert areas of Rajasthan, in all weather conditions. The system can store 500 pickets and 15 km of polypropylene rope. The main sub-systems to be integrated into the vehicle are the carrier vehicle and the mechanical, pneumatic, electrical, and electronic sub-systems with selected subcontractors. BEML follows a policy of sourcing sub-systems from established industries during the development phase. The superstructure is built by subcontractors and delivered to the Accurate Group for integration into the BEML HMV.

This contract underscores the Indian government's commitment to autonomy and modernization of its armed forces, aligning with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliance).

For reference, the geostrategic context of India concerning the plains of Punjab and the desert territories of Rajasthan is of paramount importance for national security. These regions, adjacent to the border with Pakistan, have historically been zones of tension and conflict. The plains of Punjab, with their direct proximity to the Indo-Pakistani border, have witnessed several wars and skirmishes, underscoring their strategic importance in territorial control and defense. On the other hand, the vast desert of Rajasthan, which includes a significant part of the Thar Desert, presents a challenging and demanding environment, crucial for military operations, particularly in terms of logistics and defense strategy. India's ability to maintain robust security and deploy forces effectively in these regions is essential for its overall defense posture and for managing border tensions with Pakistan

Source:

https://www.armyrecognition.com/defense_news_january_2024_global_security_army_industry/indian_army_to_get_new_beml_mechanical_minefield_marking_equipment.html