SOURCE: IDRW.ORG
The Indian Army, through the iDEX DISC 12 Challenge, is addressing the critical need for Antiskid Tracks for BMP Infantry Fighting Vehicles operating in High Altitude Areas (HAA) and glaciated terrain. This initiative comes as the Mechanised Infantry is increasingly being deployed in unconventional terrains, including deserts, high-altitude mountains, and glaciated regions, where mobility challenges for heavy equipment like BMPs (Boyevaya Mashina Pekhoty) have become more pronounced.
The BMPs, a core component of the Indian Army’s mechanised forces, are designed for manoeuvrability, speed, and firepower in diverse battlefield environments. However, the extreme conditions of high-altitude and snow-covered terrain present significant operational challenges. As these terrains experience severe ice accumulation, particularly on mountain passes and glaciated areas, the metal tracks of the BMPs face deterioration due to prolonged use, leading to reduced friction and increased slipping and skidding during manoeuvres, especially while making sharp turns or braking.
The loss of traction in these areas compromises the BMP’s key strength—its mobility—and poses risks to both the vehicle’s performance and the safety of personnel.
Through the iDEX DISC 12 Challenge, the Indian Army aims to encourage innovative solutions to enhance the operational capabilities of BMPs in high-altitude environments. The focus of the challenge is to develop Antiskid Tracks that will provide better traction on icy and snow-covered terrain, ensuring that the vehicles maintain their manoeuvrability without suffering from loss of control due to skidding or slipping.
The goal is to design tracks that can withstand the harsh conditions of HAA while ensuring prolonged durability and resistance to wear and tear caused by both static and mobile deployment. These tracks must be able to handle not only the freezing temperatures but also the dynamic weight and movement of the heavily armoured BMP vehicles in these challenging terrains.
Key Requirements for Antiskid Tracks
Operational Effectiveness: The tracks must maintain the BMP’s operational readiness, including its ability to deploy quickly in high-altitude warfare scenarios, ensuring the vehicle can traverse rugged, icy terrain without compromising speed or agility.
Enhanced Traction: The new antiskid tracks should significantly improve the friction between the tracks and the icy or snow-covered surfaces, allowing for safe and controlled movements, even on steep inclines or during sharp turns.
Durability: The tracks must be built from materials that can withstand prolonged exposure to extreme cold, ice, and snow without deteriorating rapidly, ensuring that the BMPs can operate over extended periods without requiring frequent repairs or replacements.
Adaptability: The antiskid tracks should be compatible with existing BMP variants used by the Indian Army, allowing for easy retrofitting without requiring major modifications to the vehicles.
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