New Delhi: Developed in a joint venture with the Defence Research and Development Organisation, six hundred indigenously-manufactured self-neutralising anti-tank mines “Vibhav”, have been inducted into the Indian Army to provide mobility kill against all enemy armoured vehicles, according to a media report on September 18.
The report citing officials mentions that the anti-tank mine is made of new-age plastic, which gives it adequate strength and durability to withstand the requirements of storage, handling and operating in varying field conditions. The mines have safety and actuation mechanisms to ensure operator safety
“It (the ‘Vibhav’ anti-tank mine) is already in production. It has been completed. It is now in demand. It has been inducted into the Indian Army. Six hundred mines have been inducted (recently),” an official of the manufacturing company told a media agency. “Made from new age plastic, the mines have adequate strength and durability to withstand the requirements of storage, handling and operating in varying field conditions,” the official said. The munition can be laid both mechanically or manually, he added.
According to the officials, “Vibhav” is a point-attack anti-tank munition and the mines are designed to provide mobility kill against all enemy armoured vehicles. A host of safety and actuation mechanisms have been incorporated in “Vibhav” to make it safe to handle, lethal against targets and reliable. The integrated explosive, mechanical and electronic safety features ensure utmost operator safety. The lethality of the munition ensures effectiveness against all current and futuristic armoured vehicles.
The munition also incorporates an electronic anti-handling and anti-lift device (EAHALD) that stays active for 120 days once armed. “We have made three changes in this mine. It has mechanical timers now. Due to this, after 120 days, it will be self-neutralised. It was not available in the earlier mines,” one of the officials said. The munition is under production by Kalyani Group for the Indian Army. It has a storage life of 10 years with no special storage requirements, he added.
