Indian Army deploys four-legged robots for border surveillance in Jammu and Kashmir
The robotic units, known as MULE, assist soldiers and military dogs in patrolling difficult terrains along the Line of Control.
The Indian Army has deployed four-legged robotic units to assist with border surveillance in Jammu and Kashmir, according to the Times of India. These robots, alongside human personnel and military dogs, are monitoring difficult terrains in forward areas along the 740-km-long Line of Control (LoC).
The robotic units are called MULE (multi-utility legged equipment). The Army received an initial batch of 100 units in June 2024 and has since deployed them in sensitive sectors including Rajouri and Akhnoor.
Defence sources told the Times of India that hundreds of these robotic mules have been stationed along the LoC and the Jammu border. They provide real-time intelligence and assist with logistics in rugged areas, while also supporting ambush operations and tracking enemy movements.
The MULE units can navigate landscapes that are inaccessible to wheeled or tracked vehicles, including mountain slopes, snow, deserts, and river crossings. They are designed to operate in temperatures between -40°C and +55°C.
The robots can carry between 12 kg and 15 kg of supplies, including fuel, rations, and ammunition, to assist soldiers. They are equipped with radar, thermal technology, electro-optics, and 360-degree cameras for object recognition and threat detection.
The Army has also modernised surveillance through satellite integration, smart-fencing, high-tech sensors, and artificial intelligence. Laser-based counter-drone systems and laser-intrusion detection components have also been integrated along parts of the J&K border.