Army gets logistics drones in bid to cut manpower, mules march into history

NEW DELHI: The sturdy and surefooted mules of the Army, who have been transporting crucial loads to forward border posts through treacherous routes under extreme weather and terrain conditions for over a century, are now slowly but steadily marching into history.

The Army is progressively inducting logistics drones, robotic mules, all-terrain vehicles and rough-terrain vehicles, in conjunction with the improvement in border infrastructure and better last-mile connectivity, to replace its existing animal transport fleet.

Under the overall “force restructuring and optimisation” plan under way in the 12-lakh strong Army to reduce manpower by around one lakh personnel by 2027, apart from other measures, animal transport companies and other “legacy units” are being gradually disbanded.

The Army has already reduced by 1,500 the number of its “mountain artillery mules”, who carry 120mm mortars and their ammunition to far-flung forward posts where proper roads or tracks do not exist. “The few remaining such mules will go by 2025,” an officer said.

Similarly, over 3,300 “general service mules”, who transport rations, fuel, water and ammunition, will be progressively retired by the end of this decade. “The number of animal transport companies will be cut down by about 70% by 2030,” he added.

Parallelly, in just the past one year, the Army has inked contracts worth over Rs 320 crore for 563 logistics drones of different types, including those designed to carry loads in high-altitude areas of over 12,000 feet.

“Such drones can carry out last-mile delivery to troops deployed along the borders. They will reduce the need for soldiers and porters as well as animal transport companies to carry supplies and ammunition,” the officer said.

A Rs 285-crore deal has also been signed for 100 four-legged robotic mules, capable of autonomous movement with obstruction avoidance features across different terrains at heights up to 10,000 feet. Another contract is for 300 rough-terrain vehicles, each of which can carry over 100kg of load, for almost Rs 70 crore.

The disbanding of so many animal transport companies will also lead to the closure of five mobile field veterinary hospitals that provide medical treatment to the mules. Similarly, the remount training school and depot, where mules are bred and trained, will also be closed.

“It’s quite difficult to maintain animal transport companies because the mules require proper shelters with environment control, medical treatment, transportation of voluminous hay bales and the like. The induction of technology will improve capacity and efficiency of operational logistics in forward areas,” another officer said.

The largely unsung mules, though a few of them have been awarded commendation cards over the years, certainly deserve a well-earned rest.

For more news like this visit TOI. Get all the Latest News, City News, India News, Business News, and Sports News. For Entertainment News, TV News, and Lifestyle Tips visit Etimes