India Adds Robots “Dogs” For War

By Jim Morris, Warrior Vice President, News

India is joining the US and China in unleashing the dogs of war – robotic ones.

According to the news site The Print, the Indian army is set to take delivery 25 robotic dogs that will be used for surveillance and to carry loads through steep terrain. The dogs are actually known as MULES (Multi-Utility Legged Equipment) and the army has ordered 100 of them.

Sources told The Print the robots are come with thermal cameras and other sensors. They can also be equipped with small arms, meaning a unit could engage the enemy without putting any lives at risk.

Last year, the military ordered the robotic dogs under an emergency procurement order. If the army is happy with the first batch of robots, it is likely to order a second, larger batch.

The canine is just one of the robots being developed under the auspices of India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).

Several years ago, there were media reports about a Robot Sentry which could be used for surveillance in urban areas. DRDO also is said to be working on a 14-jointed snake robot capable of “lateral undulation, side winding and rolling gaits.”

India also uses an unexploded ordnance handling robot (UXOR) to detect and diffuse bombs and other explosives. Several years ago, the army announced it as procuring vehicles called robotics surveillance platforms to help battle terrorists.