India’s Belrise, Israel’s Plasan Join Hands To Bring ATEMM Electric Combat Mobility Platform
In a move that underscores the deepening India–Israel defence-industrial cooperation, Belrise Industries has entered into a strategic partnership with Plasan Sasa to jointly pursue opportunities in advanced military mobility and survivability systems, with a central focus on Plasan’s ATEMM (All-Terrain Electric Mission Module) platform.
The three-year agreement was executed on December 18 and disclosed by Belrise in a stock-exchange filing dated December 22. The pact provides for joint bidding on Indian defence and paramilitary programmes, localisation of technology, and the integration of Belrise into Plasan’s global supply chain. The partnership aligns with New Delhi’s push for indigenous defence manufacturing under the Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat initiatives, while offering Plasan a stronger and more scalable industrial footprint in India.
At the heart of the agreement is ATEMM, a self-propelled, modular electric mission platform designed to enhance mobility, payload capacity and power availability for modern armed forces. Unlike conventional unpowered trailers, ATEMM incorporates its own electric drivetrain and onboard energy storage, allowing it to actively augment vehicle performance rather than degrade it.
When attached to a standard 4×4 tactical vehicle through a patented three-point interface, ATEMM converts the host into a synchronised 6×6 configuration, while a tandem version enables an 8×8-class layout. According to Plasan, the system can add up to one tonne of additional payload in the single-module configuration while preserving off-road mobility.
The platform is powered by an electric traction motor rated at approximately 200 kW, delivering high torque at the axle to support operations across difficult terrain. A high-voltage battery pack, quoted at around 47 kWh in current configurations, supports both propulsion and exportable mission power.
A key operational advantage of ATEMM lies in its support for low-signature and “silent watch” missions. Operating purely in electric mode, the platform significantly reduces acoustic and thermal signatures, a capability increasingly valued in border security, surveillance and special operations.
When detached from a lead vehicle, ATEMM—particularly in its tandem ATEMM-T configuration—can function as a remotely operated or autonomous unmanned ground platform. This allows it to undertake high-risk tasks such as forward resupply, casualty evacuation, route support, or intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) missions without exposing personnel to direct danger.
The system is also designed to operate as a mobile power hub, providing off-board vehicle power for charging soldier-worn systems, communications equipment, sensors, drones and medical devices in austere or remote environments.
For Belrise, the agreement represents a significant step in expanding from automotive systems into defence-grade mobility and power solutions. With 20 manufacturing facilities across India, the company is expected to play a central role in localisation, subsystem manufacturing, and eventual systems integration of ATEMM variants adapted to Indian operating conditions, ranging from deserts to high-altitude regions.
For Plasan, the partnership provides a pathway to scale its presence in India while leveraging Indian manufacturing capabilities for selected global requirements. Company officials indicated that Belrise is expected to become part of Plasan’s international supply chain, supporting both domestic Indian programmes and overseas customers.
The announcement was positively received by financial markets, with Belrise shares recording a sharp rise following disclosure of the agreement, reflecting investor expectations of higher-value defence and aerospace work over the medium term.
While specific timelines for trials or induction have not been made public, defence industry sources suggest that adaptation and evaluation activities could begin once user requirements are formalised by the Indian armed forces. As the Ministry of Defence increasingly signals interest in electric, hybrid and autonomous ground systems to reduce logistical burdens and improve battlefield endurance, the Belrise–Plasan partnership positions ATEMM as a serious contender in a rapidly evolving segment of military mobility.
✍️ This article is written by the team of The Defense News.