DRDO to tie up with Pune defence firm for production of ordinance disposal robot | India News

NEW DELHI: The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has finalised a technology transfer agreement with a Pune-based defence company for the production of the unexploded ordnance handling robot (UXOR), which is designed to neutralise ordnance weighing up to 1,000 kg.The agreement with DRDO positions Sagar Defence Engineering as one of the primary industry partners, alongside Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), for scaling up production of UXOR units, which are set to be deployed by the IAF to enhance operational safety during unexploded ordnance handling missions across sensitive zones, including forward airbases and strategic installations, a company source told TOI.Developed indigenously by DRDO over the last decade, UXOR represents a quantum leap in autonomous and semi-autonomous bomb disposal systems. Its key features include high-powered water jet cutting technology, precise disarming of explosive ordnance by cutting through bomb casings up to 25 mm thick and performing remote operation from a distance of up to 2 km — meaning operators can manage high-risk ordnance from a safe distance, thus reducing the possibility of human injuries or casualties.UXOR enables cross-terrain mobility, allowing operations on surfaces, such as airstrips, tarmacs and rugged terrains, and is capable of continuous six-hour missions, suitable for extended bomb disposal or reconnaissance operations.Sources familiar with the project said UXOR has undergone extensive trials with the IAF, including simulated bomb disposal exercises and real-world field testing at secure locations. Its performance has reportedly exceeded expectations, particularly in precision handling and operational reliability under stress conditions.Under a ToT agreement, DRDO will provide Sagar Defence, alongside BEL, with complete access to UXOR’s design documentation, manufacturing protocols, software integration, quality assurance standards and field maintenance procedures. A senior source hinted that this initiative is part of a broader DRDO strategy to increasingly involve private and public sector partners for rapid deployment of advanced defence technologies, reducing reliance on in-house production.The contract requires delivery of multiple UXOR units over the next two fiscal years, training of IAF personnel in robot operation, maintenance and emergency protocols and field deployment support during initial operational integration at selected bases.