SOURCE: AFI
The Indian Army is poised to revolutionize its operational capabilities across the northern and northeastern sectors with the imminent induction of the Xploder, a remotely operated unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) developed in-house by Major Rajprasad of the 7 Engineer Regiment. Following rigorous trials over the past two years, this all-terrain platform has met the force’s stringent requirements and is now set for mass production by a private industry partner. “Hundreds of these units will be inducted into infantry, Special Forces, and Corps of Engineers units within the next few months for counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism operations,” Major Rajprasad announced, heralding a new era of technological preparedness.
The Xploder UGV emerges as a direct response to a persistent threat plaguing the Indian Army: improvised explosive devices (IEDs). “Over the decades, we’ve faced evolving IED challenges from terrorist groups. Many soldiers lost their lives, and a sizeable number were seriously injured during operations in forward areas,” Major Rajprasad explained. “This prompted me to work on a tangible solution to counter it.” The result is a versatile, battle-ready UGV designed to minimize human risk while maximizing tactical impact, a testament to the Army’s push for innovation under the “Aatmanirbhar Bharat” initiative.
Tested extensively across diverse terrains—spanning the deserts of Rajasthan, the rugged mountains of Jammu & Kashmir, and the dense forests of the Northeast—the Xploder has proven its operational efficacy. “Several improvements were made based on ground force feedback,” said Major Rajprasad, ensuring the UGV aligns with real-world combat needs. Weighing under 500 kg (extrapolated from similar systems), this all-terrain platform boasts multifarious roles: unmanned reconnaissance and surveillance, delivery of explosive payloads, remote IED disposal, and even kamikaze missions for clearing terrorist hideouts. Its self-destruct mode, demonstrated in trials, enhances its utility in high-stakes operations.
Beyond combat, the Xploder doubles as a disaster relief tool, capable of navigating debris-strewn environments to deliver supplies or assess damage—vital for flood- or earthquake-prone border regions. Posts on X have lauded its versatility, with users noting its potential to “redefine infantry support” in India’s volatile frontier zones, where Pakistan-backed insurgents and Chinese incursions remain constant threats.
The Xploder is one of three innovations by Major Rajprasad greenlit for induction within six months, a remarkable feat reflecting the Army’s urgency to bolster its technological edge. Alongside it are the “Vidyut Rakshak,” an IoT-enabled generator monitoring system, and the “Agniastra,” a multi-target portable remote detonation device—both transferred for mass production in August 2024 during a ceremony attended by Vice Chief of Army Staff Lt Gen NS Rajasubramani. These join the officer’s earlier success, the “WEDC” Wireless Electronic Detonation System, already in service since 2023.
India’s northern and northeastern sectors—home to counter-insurgency grids in Jammu & Kashmir, Manipur, and Assam—have long grappled with IEDs, a favored weapon of groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba and Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council. The 2020-2022 period alone saw over 50 IED incidents, claiming soldier lives and disrupting operations. The Xploder’s remote operation, with a range exceeding 1 km (based on similar UGVs), allows troops to neutralize threats from a safe distance, using high-resolution cameras and articulated arms to defuse or detonate IEDs. Its explosive payload delivery further enables preemptive strikes on terrorist caches, reducing ambush risks.
“Soldiers used to manually approach IEDs or rely on bomb disposal squads, often under fire. Now, Xploder can take the lead,” Major Rajprasad emphasized. Trials showcased its ability to traverse rocky slopes and dense undergrowth—key for the LoC and Indo-Myanmar border—while its kamikaze mode cleared mock hideouts, a tactic Pakistan’s larger UAVs like the CH-4 can’t replicate at this scale.
The induction of hundreds of Xploders aligns with India’s broader modernization push, seen at Aero India 2025, where drones and UGVs dominated exhibits. Against Pakistan’s focus on air-based UAVs—Wing Loong II and Bayraktar TB2—or China’s Type 15 light tanks along the LAC, the Xploder offers a ground-level counter, blending stealth with lethality. Its disaster relief role also strengthens civil-military synergy, vital in border states prone to natural calamities.
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