How a Navy-Tested Robot Is Entering Army Service Through a New Procurement Route

The Indian Army’s decision to procure an indigenously developed firefighting robot marks one of the clearest recent examples of how defence technologies tested by one Service are being absorbed by another to shorten induction timelines.

Last week, on January 13, the Indian Army’s Directorate of Capability Development signed a contract to procure 18 Fire Fighting Robots (FF BOTs) at a cost of ₹62 crore. The systems will be deployed at ammunition depots and other high-risk installations across various cantonments, with induction scheduled to begin in the first week of April.

The FF BOT has been developed by Swadeshi Empresa Pvt Ltd under the Ministry of Defence’s Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) initiative. Designed as an unmanned ground system, the robot is meant to operate in environments involving explosions, toxic smoke, intense heat and the risk of structural collapse—conditions that make human entry highly dangerous.

What makes the procurement notable is that the system was originally developed under the iDEX framework for the Indian Navy. Instead of initiating a fresh development or trial cycle, the Army invoked enabling provisions that allow one Service to procure iDEX products already developed and tested by a sister Service. The FF BOT had been cleared through a Single Stage Composite Trial, allowing the Army to move directly to acquisition.

Officials said this approach reduces duplication of trials and accelerates the induction of proven indigenous systems. The Army Design Bureau supported the project, underscoring the Army’s effort to streamline procurement pathways for start-up-led technologies under the Make in India programme.

The contract includes a two-year warranty and five years of comprehensive maintenance, along with on-site service support for a total period of seven years. Officials indicated that these terms reflect an intent to integrate the robots into routine firefighting and emergency response planning rather than limit them to experimental use.

The FF BOT is intended for use at ammunition depots, fuel storage areas, oil refineries and industrial plants. It is remotely operated--allowing firefighters to remain at a safe distance while the system enters high-risk zones during the initial stages of a fire.

Equipped with optical and thermal cameras, the robot provides live video feeds to operators. Thermal imaging enables the identification of hotspots, supporting faster assessment and more informed decision-making during emergencies.

The system has previously been used in civilian firefighting operations at a major fire at the Visakhapatnam refinery. Officials said this demonstrated its applicability beyond military installations, including at power stations, airports and disaster response sites where human access is restricted.

The FF BOT was the first iDEX SPRINT project under DISC-7 to receive Acceptance of Necessity in 2023. Officials said the Army’s decision to procure a Navy-tested system highlights a growing emphasis on cross-Service learning and faster absorption of indigenous technology, particularly for roles that directly affect personnel safety and protection of critical infrastructure.