Army launches major purchase of advanced IED detectors and bomb containment vehicles

The Indian Army is moving forward with a comprehensive upgrade of its counter-IED and night-fighting assets, seeking 350 portable stand-off explosive detectors and 13 bomb-containment vehicles. The detectors, requested by the Combat Engineers Directorate, will identify vapour and trace residues from a range of explosive materials without needing direct contact, and must run continuously for a minimum of four hours on battery power while offering USB and Bluetooth links for data transfer and library updates.

The containment vehicles are engineered to safely move and, if required, neutralise explosives comparable to an 8 kg TNT charge, using a vacuum system to extract samples without contaminating the environment and an "inside-out submarine" steel chamber to contain blast effects. These procurements target high-risk regions such as Jammu & Kashmir, the insurgency-affected North-East and left-wing extremist zones, enhancing force protection at checkpoints, installations and field operations. The program will be pursued through the Atmanirbharta self-reliance route, reflecting a layered approach to detection, containment and disposal of explosive threats.