The proposal for the indigenous production of 41 sets of Modular Bridges for the Corps of Engineers of the Indian Army was approved by the Ministry of Defense, giving the indigenization of defence equipment a significant boost under Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s vision of “Aatmanirbhar Bharat.” Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) planned and developed these game-changing bridges, and Larsen & Toubro (L&T), as DRDO’s designated production partner, will build them. On February 8th, 2023, L&T and I agreed to a contract for the purchase of modular bridges, which is expected to cost about Rs 2,585 crore.
Seven carrier vehicles based on 8×8 Heavy Mobility Vehicles and two launcher vehicles based on 10×10 Heavy Mobility Vehicles must be included in each set of the Modular Bridge. Each set must be able to mechanically launch a 46-meter assault bridge with a single span and full decking. The bridge’s fast launching and recovery characteristics allow it to be used over a variety of obstacles, including canals and ditches. The equipment can keep up with wheeled and tracked motorised vehicles and is incredibly mobile, adaptable, and tough.
The Indian Army will no longer use the manually launched Medium Girder Bridges (MGB) in favour of the modular bridges. The Modular Bridges that are designed and produced domestically will have many advantages over MGB, including a longer span, quicker construction, and mechanical launching with retrieval capability. The purchase of these bridges will significantly improve the Indian Army’s ability to cross gaps on the Western Front. The project will serve as a showcase for India’s advancements in the design and development of top-notch military hardware and pave the path for increasing defence exports to friendly nations.
