By Sangeeta Saxena
Leh, Ladakh. 23 September 2024. As India’s defence needs evolve in response to the challenging terrains and threats in high-altitude regions, companies are stepping up with innovative solutions. Showcasing at HIMTECH 2024 organised by Indian Army and FICCI , Italian infrastructure major Maccaferri’s crucial defence solutions , that address the needs of Indian forces operating in difficult terrains such as Ladakh, Jammu & Kashmir and the North East, gave state-of-the-art global technologies to meet the requirements of the Indian forces.
“For high-altitude infrastructure we are providing solutions like avalanche mitigation, landslide mitigation, rockfall protection these are problems which our defence forces are facing in such difficult terrains where the environment is very challenging where the need of these works is very high but to do such works takes a lot of effort so with the help of Maccaferri’s unique applications like our rockfall barriers or our hybrid gabion walls the forces can devise solutions which will provide them with a one-stop long-term solution.” stated Salil Choudhary, Sector Head-Defense, Maccaferri Environmental Solutions Pvt Ltd.
Maccaferri’s military defence solutions draw on their extensive expertise in gabion mesh to create a high-quality cellular containment structure known as Defence ll MAC. This innovative solution is designed to provide force protection against a wide range of threats, including ordnance, explosives, and vehicle attacks. Maccaferri, a global leader in defense infrastructure solutions, has been showcasing a range of innovative products aimed at solving some of the toughest challenges faced by the Indian Armed Forces during high-altitude operations. Speaking at HIMTECH, Salil from Maccaferri explained how the company’s solutions are designed to meet the unique needs of Indian defense forces operating in extreme conditions.
Maccaferri is also pioneering perimeter security with their modular traverses, which can be rapidly deployed to create protective walls up to 500 meters long in just 72 hours. “For a small unit moving into forward areas, it’s essential to have perimeter security. Our modular perimeter walls, which have been tested by the DRDO and combat engineers, provide the necessary protection against all handheld weaponry,” Salil emphasized.
Over the last three decades, Maccaferri has successfully executed over 100 projects in India, including the first-of-its-kind avalanche mitigation project with Border Roads at Rohtang, and rockfall and landslide protection at critical sites such as Pangi and Lambaghad. Their expertise extends to the Far East, where they have tackled sinking zones and landslide projects in collaboration with the Military Engineering Services (MES).
One of the most significant challenges in high-altitude warfare is ensuring the safety of soldiers and equipment in regions prone to natural disasters. Maccaferri’s rockfall barriers and modular walls offer a robust defence mechanism that can be quickly deployed and are capable of withstanding the impact of avalanches, rockfalls, and landslides.
In addition to perimeter security, Maccaferri has also developed innovative solutions for ammunition storage in forward areas. Their Modular Ballistic Protection System (MBPS) offers a semi-permanent structure that can store up to 10 metric tons of ammunition in just one week, protecting it from explosions and reducing the risk of sympathetic detonations. “In areas where constructing permanent infrastructure is impossible, our MBPS allows forces to store ammunition safely and prevent catastrophic chain reactions in the event of an explosion,” Salil said.
Furthermore, Maccaferri’s solutions are not limited to high-altitude warfare. The company has also made inroads in homeland security, providing perimeter security solutions in states like Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh, where Naxal insurgency is a significant issue. As Salil explained, “Our primary goal is to educate the forces on the availability and benefits of these solutions. Protecting the lives of our soldiers is at the heart of everything we do.”
Defence ll MAC offers flexible strength and versatility, available in various sizes to suit different requirements. It can be rapidly deployed and filled on-site with locally sourced materials, forming a modular barrier that can be easily configured for a variety of defense needs. The units can also be stacked to create taller structures, providing protection for military bases, camps, depots, vehicles, and other critical infrastructure. Beyond military applications, Defence ll MAC is also used in civilian settings to safeguard buildings, infrastructure, and installations that may be at risk of attack.
In addition to this, Maccaferri’s geogrid reinforcements and geotextiles enhance the performance of soft ground, providing ground stabilization for the safe passage of heavy military vehicles. This combination of protection and reinforcement makes Maccaferri’s solutions vital for both military and civilian defence applications.
“We have successfully executed a little over hundred projects in India and some of them have been very challenging like the avalanche mitigation project we did with Border Roads Rohtang which was the first of its kind then numerous Border Road projects like the Pangi landslide like the Lambaghad landslide project that we have done and also in the Far East where we have done great projects with MES the sinking zone project with MES Gangtok so using our global expertise we offer a huge range of solutions to our armed forces especially through Himtech we want to educate and also offer our services which is design the product and the installation and our job doesn’t end there post installation we also offer a maintenance and everything is through the government mandated routes. We really want the forces to know that our products are made with their security in mind. Himtech gives us just this opportunity,” Salil reiterated.
“The forces in high altitude are looking at solutions like mitigation of any hazards like rockfall avalanche and then they also want solutions like storage of ammunition in forward field areas where it’s very difficult to construct permanent infrastructure in such harsh weathers and terrain so the interest has been very good the footfall has been incredible it is much more than what we expected but the footfall has been great and I would also like to thank the forces for organizing such a nice event in an area where the need of these solutions is very high. Air force stations, bases, naval bases, army units, squadrons of the Air Force, everyone needs a perimeter wall. So for the perimeter security walls we are able to construct a perimeter wall which is about 500 meters in length about 10 feet in height with a thickness of about 6 feet in 72 hours so this is immensely useful for forces in field areas for example our forces in a small unit is moving to a forward field area where they do not have any protection they can create a perimeter security wall in a matter of hours and then they can set up the camp inside and our perimeter security wall using our modular traverses which are tested by combat engineers which is tested by DRDO and has been used by multiple police forces and the armed forces as well. It provides protection against any and all handheld weaponry which is present in the country,” he stressed.
Over the last five years, the company has successfully delivered close to 500 metric tons of ammunition storage containers to the Indian Armed Forces across the country. Additionally, it has supplied approximately 2,000-2,500 metric tons of such containers to international forces, including NATO. The company also actively participates in joint military exercises, such as those conducted by the QUAD. Currently, it is involved in the ongoing Indo-US exercise in Mahajan Ranges. Their approach is focused on first educating and understanding the problem, and then offering precise, turnkey solutions through their extensive range of products, rather than simply providing standalone items.
“It has been elaborately tested and our motto is to protect our forces from any sort of insurgency that can happen. Right, and you know yesterday we had the DG Jammu Kashmir, we also had the DG Ladakh. Homeland security also is a very big market. The whole objective is understanding the problem of our armed forces, devising a solution which is cost-effective, which is long-lasting and saves the lives. And at HIMTECH we’ve come with a very single agenda to offer solutions which can be installed in difficult terrains and are long-term solutions. We are an engineering firm and we take our engineering very seriously,” Salil continued.
Maccaferri’s participation at HIMTECH underscores its commitment to providing long-term, sustainable solutions for India’s defense forces. By addressing the unique challenges of high-altitude warfare with specialized infrastructure, Maccaferri is playing a pivotal role in protecting soldiers and securing critical military assets. From avalanche mitigation to modular perimeter walls and ammunition storage, the company is offering cutting-edge solutions that are revolutionizing the way India approaches border security and high-altitude defence operations. Through constant innovation and collaboration with the armed forces, Maccaferri is set to remain a key player in India’s defence landscape for years to come.
