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The Ministry of Defence has issued a tender worth nearly Rs 290 crore for the procurement of 386 next-generation mine detectors designed to identify both metallic and non-metallic explosives, marking a significant upgrade in the Indian Army’s counter-mine and route-clearance capability.
The procurement, categorised as “dual technology mine detectors,” is aimed at addressing a long-standing operational limitation in existing systems that are unable to reliably detect low-metal or non-metallic mines and improvised explosive devices (IEDs).
The Indian Army currently uses conventional metal detectors, such as the Schiebel and Metex systems, which are effective at locating buried metallic objects. However, these systems have limited utility against mines and IEDs made from plastic, ceramic, wood and other non-metallic materials — devices increasingly encountered in asymmetric warfare and counter-insurgency operations.
The requirement has gained urgency amid evolving battlefield conditions and the widespread use of low-metal explosive devices by both state and non-state actors. Similar challenges have confronted militaries operating in conflict zones ranging from Afghanistan to Ukraine, where adversaries have increasingly adopted non-metallic construction to evade standard detection equipment.
According to the tender specifications, the new system will combine conventional electromagnetic metal detection with either ground penetrating radar (GPR) or infrared (IR) technology. The two detection systems are expected to function independently and in an integrated mode, allowing operators to adapt to different terrain and threat conditions.
The Army has laid down stringent operational parameters for the equipment. The detector must be capable of identifying objects as small as six centimetres in diameter and four centimetres in height. Detection depth requirements include up to 12 centimetres in dry sand, soil and laterite conditions, and up to 10 centimetres in snow, saline soil and waterlogged terrain.
The specifications mirror the diverse environments in which Army engineering units operate, from high-altitude sectors along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) to desert and marshland terrain near the western border.
The system must function in temperatures ranging from minus 10 degrees Celsius to 42 degrees Celsius and remain operable in standing, kneeling and prone positions. The operational weight of the detector has been capped at eight kilograms, while the complete man-portable configuration with rucksack must not exceed 12 kilograms. The transport mode weight limit has been set to 20 kilograms.
The detectors are also required to feature distinct audio and visual alarms for different detection technologies, along with selective muting capability to reduce false alerts caused by metallic clutter.
Under the tender conditions, the selected vendor will be required to deliver all 386 systems within 540 days of the supply order being issued. The bid submission deadline has been fixed for June 5.
Combat engineering units rely on mine detection systems to clear routes for infantry and armoured formations during both conventional and counter-insurgency operations. Undetected mines and IEDs remain among the biggest threats to troops engaged in route clearance and mobility support tasks.
The planned induction is expected to significantly improve survivability for soldiers operating in difficult terrain and high-threat environments along both the Line of Control (LoC) with Pakistan and the LAC with China, as well as during internal security operations.
Team BharatShakti
