DRDO designs and develops assault bridge for the Army
The Ministry of Defence has signed a Rs.2,585 crore contract for procurement of 41 indigenous Modular Bridges for Corps of Engineers of Indian Army from Larsen & Toubro (L&T).
It has approved the proposal for indigenous manufacture of 41 sets of Modular Bridges.
“These game-changing bridges have been designed and developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and shall be produced by L&T as DRDO-nominated production agency,” said the Ministry.
The contract was signed with L&T on 8 Feb 2023.
Each set of Modular Bridge shall consist of seven carrier vehicles based on 8×8 Heavy Mobility Vehicles and two launcher vehicles based on 10×10 Heavy Mobility Vehicles.
Each set shall be capable of mechanically launching a single span fully decked 46-meter assault bridge. The bridge can be employed over various types of obstacles like canals and ditches with quick launching and retrieval capabilities.
The equipment is highly mobile, versatile, rugged and capable of keeping pace with wheeled and tracked mechanized vehicles.
The modular bridges will replace the manually-launched Medium Girder Bridges (MGB) that are currently being used in the Indian Army.
The indigenously designed and manufactured Modular bridges shall have many advantages over the MGB such as increased span, less time for construction and mechanical launching with retrieval capability.
The procurement of these bridges will give a major boost to the bridging capability of the Indian Army on the Western Front.
The project will showcase India’s progress in designing and developing world class military equipment and pave the way for enhancing defence exports to friendly countries, said the Ministry. fiinews.com
