Indian Army Signs Contract for Upgraded Assault Track Way (Make II Project)

This milestone marks progress in the development of indigenous equipment for the Indian armed forces. The new capability will improve the transport of heavy weapons and equipment over terrain lacking metalled roads, particularly during war times, and enhance the operational readiness of the Indian Army.

Assault Track Way is a track-laying mechanism that facilitates the quick movement of tanks and other weapons to support infantry units at the front, especially in obstacle-ridden terrain. It is also required for the movement of vehicles in columns in underdeveloped or desert terrain. The upgraded assault trackway is made of lightweight material that blends with the terrain and is easy to handle for manual laying and recovery.

The Indian Army released an expression of interest in 2018 to procure an Upgraded Assault Track Vehicle and to seek responses from eligible Indian vendors for the development of the prototype and further procurement of the machine. The upgraded assault trackway MKII, which represents an advancement in material science technology, presents an opportunity to upgrade existing aluminium alloy-based track material being used by the Indian Army with more lightweight material with enhanced capabilities. The Indian Army announced that the deal will go a long way in contributing to atmanirbharta (self-reliance) in the defence sector.