Muntra – country’s first unmanned tank, rolls out from the Chennai lab

Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has developed an unmanned, remotely operated tank named ‘Muntra’ which has three variants – surveillance, mine detection and reconnaissance in areas with nuclear and bio threats. 

More Information pertaining to Muntra:

Muntra has been developed and tested for the Army by Combat Vehicles Research and Development Establishment (CVRDE) in Avadi, Chennai.

• Indian paramilitary force has also expressed interest to use these unmanned tanks in Naxal-hit areas. However it will require a few modifications.
• Variants: Muntra-S is India’s first tracked unmanned ground vehicle developed for unmanned surveillance missions while Muntra-M is for detecting mines and Muntra-N is for operation in areas where there is a nuclear radiation or bio weapon risk.
• Specifications: The vehicle has surveillance radar, an integrated camera along with laser range finder which can be used to spy on ground target 15km away – may be a crawling men or heavy vehicles.
• The vehicle has been tested and validated at Mahajan field firing range in Rajasthan under dusty desert condition.
• The two remotely operated vehicles designed like an armoured tank were on display at an exhibition – ‘Science for Soldiers’ – organised by DRDO as a tribute to former President APJ Abdul Kalam at CVRDe in Avadi. 

Quick Facts about Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO):

DRDO is Government of India’s agency responsible for military‘s research and development.

• It was formed in 1958 by the merger of the Technical Development Establishment and the Directorate of Technical Development and Production with the Defence Science Organisation.
• Headquarters of DRDO is located in New Delhi.
• It is under the administrative control of the Ministry of Defence, Government of India.
• S Christopher is the current Chairman of DRDO.