NEW DELHI: The defence ministry on Thursday inked contracts worth Rs 802 crore for procurement of 697 ‘bogie open military (BOM)’ railway wagons and 56 mechanical minefield marking equipment (MMME) for the Army. The Rs 473 crore deal for the BOM wagons, which are used to transport infantry combat vehicles from peacetime locations to operational areas, was signed with Jupiter Wagons Ltd.
“This critical rolling stock will ensure speedy and simultaneous induction of Army units and equipment into operational areas during any conflict situation. It will also facilitate their peacetime movement for military exercises and movement of units from one station to another,” an official said. The Rs 329 crore contract for MMME Mark-II, which is based on in-service high mobility vehicles having advanced mechanical and electrical systems to reduce the time for minefield marking during operations, was inked with BEML.
“Marking of all minefields is a mandatory requirement as per the amended protocol-II on convention in certain conventional weapons to which India is a signatory. MMME has been designed to operate cross country with a complete load of stores and carry out marking of minefields with minimal time,” he said.
“This critical rolling stock will ensure speedy and simultaneous induction of Army units and equipment into operational areas during any conflict situation. It will also facilitate their peacetime movement for military exercises and movement of units from one station to another,” an official said. The Rs 329 crore contract for MMME Mark-II, which is based on in-service high mobility vehicles having advanced mechanical and electrical systems to reduce the time for minefield marking during operations, was inked with BEML.
“Marking of all minefields is a mandatory requirement as per the amended protocol-II on convention in certain conventional weapons to which India is a signatory. MMME has been designed to operate cross country with a complete load of stores and carry out marking of minefields with minimal time,” he said.
