SOURCE: AFI
In a significant step towards enhancing its operational capabilities in challenging high-altitude environments, the Indian Army has deployed the Vehicle Mounted Infantry Mortar System (VMIMS) in Sikkim, a strategically critical region along India’s border with China. This deployment underscores India’s commitment to strengthening its defense preparedness while advancing the nation’s self-reliance in defense manufacturing under the ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ and ‘Make in India’ initiatives.
The VMIMS, a product of Indian ingenuity and collaboration, comprises the Alakran-L automated, deployable mortar system fitted with an 81 mm barrel. This advanced system is mounted onto the rear of a 4×4 Armoured Light Specialist Vehicle (ALSV), known as ‘Armado’ in Indian service, built by Mahindra Defence Systems Limited (MDSL). The integration of the Alakran-L mortar with the Armado platform provides the Indian Army with enhanced mobility, rapid response capabilities, and increased firepower—key attributes for operations in rugged, high-altitude terrains like Sikkim.
The Alakran-L mortar system is designed for quick deployment and precision strikes, offering a high degree of automation that reduces crew workload and improves accuracy. Mounted on the Armado, a lightweight yet robust armored vehicle, the VMIMS can traverse difficult terrain, making it ideal for the mountainous regions of Sikkim, where rapid maneuverability and firepower are critical for maintaining operational superiority.
Sikkim’s high-altitude terrain poses unique challenges for military operations, including harsh weather, limited infrastructure, and the need for swift responses to potential threats along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China. The VMIMS addresses these challenges by combining mobility with lethality. The Armado ALSV, with its 4×4 configuration and armored protection, ensures that troops can deploy the mortar system swiftly while remaining protected against small arms fire and shrapnel. The 81 mm mortar provides a versatile capability, delivering high-explosive rounds, smoke, or illumination shells to support infantry operations at ranges exceeding 5 kilometers.
The automated features of the Alakran-L system, such as digital fire control and rapid barrel alignment, allow for faster target acquisition and engagement compared to traditional man-portable mortars. This is particularly advantageous in high-altitude warfare, where response times can mean the difference between success and vulnerability. The VMIMS thus strengthens the Indian Army’s ability to dominate the battlefield with precision and speed.
While the exact timeline for the commencement of VMIMS deliveries remains unclear, Colonel Manish Kumar (retd), head of sales and marketing for land systems at MDSL, had indicated during the DefExpo 2022 exhibition in October 2022 that deliveries were slated to begin in 2023. This target appears to have been met, as evidenced by images of the VMIMS among other Indian Army vehicles circulating on social media platforms in November 2023. These images, shared widely, showcased the system in operational use, signaling its integration into the Army’s arsenal.
The deployment of the VMIMS in Sikkim comes at a time when India is bolstering its military posture along its northern borders, particularly in response to heightened tensions with China following the 2020 Galwan Valley clash. Sikkim, with its proximity to the LAC and strategic importance in the eastern sector, is a critical area for maintaining deterrence and operational readiness. The VMIMS enhances the Indian Army’s ability to deliver sustained firepower in this region, complementing other modern systems like artillery guns, drones, and missile defenses already in place.
NOTE: AFI is a proud outsourced content creator partner of IDRW.ORG. All content created by AFI is the sole property of AFI and is protected by copyright. AFI takes copyright infringement seriously and will pursue all legal options available to protect its content.