National, 12 September 2023: The North Tech Symposium today witnessed a ground-breaking moment as the Honourable Minister of Defence, Shri. Rajnath Singh, unveiled the Enhanced Collaborative Autonomous Rover System (ECARS), a cutting-edge 4×4 multi-terrain unmanned ground vehicle (UGV). This event marked a significant milestone in the realm of autonomous military technology and national security.
ECARS, developed by Kalyani Strategic Systems Ltd, a fully-owned subsidiary of Bharat Forge, stands at the forefront of innovation in the field of autonomous military technology. Designed to perform a wide range of missions including surveillance, security, safety, and rescue operations, ECARS brings a new level of versatility to military operations.
The ECARS UGV is armed with an enhanced collision avoidance system and advanced mission planning capabilities, rendering it a dependable resource for a wide range of military situations. The speed ranges between 16 and 20 kilometres per hour, with a payload capacity of 350 Kg and a towing payload capacity of 500 Kg.
One of the key features of ECARS is its compatibility with various systems, including Remote Controlled Weapon Stations (RCWS), Water Jet machines, and the transportation of heavy materials across border and water channels. This adaptability makes ECARS an indispensable tool for border surveillance, strategic asset perimeter security, riot control operations, CBRN (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear) incidents, fire-fighting, chemical spraying, and meeting various payload requirements.
Commenting on the remarkable achievement Mr. Amit Kalyani, Joint Managing Director, Bharat Forge Limited said, “ECARS represents a pivotal moment in military technology. It’s a versatile, adaptable unmanned ground vehicle that is amphibious and has all terrain capabilities to significantly enhance our national security. ECARS’ advanced capabilities make it a valuable asset in various military operations, from surveillance to security, and it demonstrates KSSL’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of defence technology.”
The unveiling of ECARS by the Minister of Defence at the North Tech Symposium marks a significant moment in India’s journey towards enhancing its defence capabilities through innovation and cutting-edge technology. The development of ECARS showcases the commitment of Bharat Forge pushing boundaries of technological excellence in support of national security.
About KSSL:
Kalyani Strategic Systems Ltd. (KSSL) is a 100% subsidiary of Bharat Forge Limited, founded as a key company to drive defence business initiatives. The Group’s legacy and experience in design, engineering, metallurgy, and manufacturing expertise spanning over five decades have played a key role in the Group emerging as one of the leading defence players in India with established capabilities of entities within its fold across key locations in India.
About Bharat Forge:
Bharat Forge Limited (BFL) is the flagship company of the USD 3 billion Kalyani Group and a global provider of high performance, innovative, safety & critical components and solutions to various sectors including Automotive, Railways, Defence, Construction & Mining, Aerospace, Marine and Oil & Gas. BFL today has the largest repository of metallurgical knowledge in the region and offers full-service supply capability to its geographically dispersed marquee customers from concept to product design, engineering, manufacturing, testing and validation. At the cusp of a breakout growth & transformation into an engineering conglomerate through its aggressive foray in capital goods and infrastructure sectors, BFL is committed to proactively expedite India’s transformation into a global economic powerhouse.
