New Delhi: In a major push towards Narendra Modi’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat vision, the Ministry of Defence has signed contracts worth ₹975 crore for the procurement of TRAWL Assembly systems for T-72 and T-90 tanks. The deal is aimed at significantly enhancing the Indian Army’s minefield breaching capability.
The contracts were signed in New Delhi on April 21, 2026, in the presence of Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh.
Advanced DRDO-Developed System to Boost Army Capability
The TRAWL Assembly, developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), is a critical system designed to improve the Army’s ability to clear minefields efficiently.
Key capabilities include:
- Creating vehicle-safe lanes through minefields
- Neutralizing anti-tank mines with proximity magnetic fuses
- Enhancing battlefield mobility and operational speed
The system will be integrated with T-72 and T-90 tanks to improve frontline combat readiness.
Contracts Signed with BEML and Electro Pneumatics
The procurement contracts have been awarded to:
- Bharat Earth Movers Limited (BEML)
- Electro Pneumatics and Hydraulics (India) Pvt Ltd
These companies will support manufacturing under the Buy (Indian–Indigenously Designed, Developed and Manufactured) category, strengthening domestic defence production.
Strong Push to Aatmanirbhar Bharat in Defence Sector
The Ministry of Defence stated that the project marks a key milestone in modernising India’s defence infrastructure under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative.
The programme is expected to:
- Reduce dependence on imports
- Strengthen indigenous defence manufacturing
- Promote participation of MSMEs in component production
- Generate direct and indirect employment opportunities
Part of Series of Major Defence Contracts
This contract follows a series of recent defence deals aimed at boosting India’s military capabilities:
- ₹5,083 crore and ₹2,901 crore contracts signed in March for naval helicopters and missile systems
- ₹2,312 crore contract with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited for Dornier 228 aircraft in February
These agreements collectively reinforce India’s focus on self-reliance and strengthening maritime and aerial defence infrastructure.
Enhancing Operational Effectiveness of Indian Army
Officials noted that the new TRAWL system will significantly improve the Indian Army’s battlefield engineering capabilities, ensuring faster and safer movement in combat zones.
The project is expected to play a crucial role in enhancing operational effectiveness during high-intensity military operations.
The ₹975 crore TRAWL Assembly procurement reflects India’s continued commitment to indigenous defence innovation. By strengthening tank mobility and minefield breaching capabilities, the initiative marks another important step in building a modern, self-reliant defence ecosystem.
About BEML
Bharat Earth Movers Limited is a leading public sector undertaking under the Ministry of Defence, involved in manufacturing defence equipment, rail coaches, and heavy engineering products, playing a key role in India’s indigenous defence production ecosystem.
