NEW DELHI — April 21, 2026 : The Ministry of Defence (MoD) on Tuesday signed contracts valued at approximately ₹975 crore for the procurement of indigenous TRAWL (Track Width Mine Plough and Roller) assemblies for the Indian Army’s T-72 (Ajeya) and T-90 (Bhishma) main battle tanks. The agreements were finalized in the presence of Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh with Bharat Earth Movers Limited (BEML) and Electro Pneumatics and Hydraulics (India) Private Limited.
The procurement has been executed under the ‘Buy (Indian–IDDM)’ (Indigenously Designed, Developed and Manufactured) category, aligning with the government’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat policy aimed at strengthening domestic defence manufacturing capabilities and reducing reliance on imports.
Contract Structure and Industrial Participation
Under the contractual arrangement, BEML has secured a major share of the order valued at approximately ₹590 crore. The remaining portion of the contract has been awarded to Electro Pneumatics and Hydraulics (India) Private Limited.
The Ministry stated that the programme is expected to generate direct and indirect employment, particularly through the participation of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), which will be involved in the supply of sub-components and manufacturing support for the system.
The contracts mark the transition from development to series production, following earlier transfer-of-technology arrangements signed between DRDO and BEML in 2023.
System Development and Technical Configuration
The TRAWL assembly has been designed and developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), specifically through its Research and Development Establishment (Engineers) unit in Pune. The system integrates multiple subsystems, including a trawl roller, a track-width mine plough, and an electro-magnetic device (EMD).
The equipment is mounted on the front of the tank and is engineered to neutralize various types of anti-tank mines. It combines mechanical and electronic countermeasures to address both pressure-activated and proximity-fused threats.
A key feature of the system is its ability to counter mines equipped with proximity magnetic fuses. The electro-magnetic device generates a magnetic signature that triggers such mines at a safe distance ahead of the tank. Simultaneously, the roller and plough components physically detonate or displace mines, enabling the creation of cleared lanes.
The system underwent blast trials in collaboration with the High Energy Materials Research Laboratory (HEMRL), Pune, in 2017, where it demonstrated survivability under repeated mine detonations.
Operational Parameters and Deployment
The TRAWL system is designed to support rapid minefield breaching operations. Operational parameters indicate a trawling speed of approximately 4 km/h. Tank alignment for deployment takes around five minutes, while clearing a distance of 1,000 metres requires approximately 30 minutes under standard conditions.
The system enables the creation of “vehicle-safe lanes”, allowing not only the lead tank but also follow-on armoured vehicles, infantry carriers, and logistics elements to traverse mined areas without additional clearance.
It is designed for operation across diverse terrains and environmental conditions, supporting both day and night missions.
Role in Mechanised Warfare
The integration of TRAWL assemblies into the T-72 and T-90 fleets enhances the Indian Army’s minefield breaching capability within mechanised operations. By enabling tanks to clear mines independently, the system reduces reliance on dedicated combat engineering units during forward movement.
This capability supports sustained operational tempo by minimizing delays at obstacle zones. In combat scenarios, minefields are often used to restrict manoeuvre or channel advancing forces. The TRAWL system allows armoured units to breach such obstacles while maintaining formation movement.
Additionally, the system improves survivability by reducing the risk of immobilisation or damage caused by anti-tank mines, thereby lowering exposure of crews and supporting elements to enemy observation and fire.
Strategic and Industrial Significance
The Ministry of Defence described the procurement as a step toward strengthening indigenous capability in combat engineering equipment. The programme contributes to domestic industrial capacity through participation of both public and private sector entities, along with MSMEs.
The induction of TRAWL assemblies into operational service is expected to enhance battlefield mobility, ensure safer movement of armoured columns, and support integrated operations involving infantry and logistics units.
No details regarding delivery timelines or the total number of systems to be supplied were disclosed in the official statement.
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