By working on the latest assault bridging systems, the Indian army is quietly bridging in massive changes to its move capabilities against both China and Pakistan aside from acquiring new arms. These bridging systems are being indigenously built. It is a collaborative effort by the Defense Research and Development Organization along with the Army’s Corps of Engineers and Larsen and Toubro which is a private firm, in leading the charge.
The first twelve 10 metre short span bridging systems which shall be deployed by combat engineers in the Western borders shared with Pakistan was inducted by the army on Friday. By August 30 more bridges shall be delivered by L&T as mentioned by DRDO chief Dr G Satheesh Reddy.
For a total of 110 such systems, a contract of ₹492 crores was signed the previous year and the delivery for the same is set to be completed by 2023.
With a fully decked roadway, the above-mentioned system shall be used to bridge gaps of up to 9.5 m with a single span which is 4 m wide, over water bodies and canals to facilitate easy movement of tanks, armoured vehicles and troops across while operating against Pakistan.
As stated by MM Naravane, Army chief General, these systems will help to enhance the mechanised formations capability and operation speed in the Western front along with fulfilling the gap and the induction shall increase the capability of the Indian army.
As the last span requires covering gaps less than 9.5 m the bridging systems are also compatible with the Sarvatra bridging system which is 75 m long.
