The first production lot of 12 Short Span Bridging System (SSBS)-10 m, designed and developed by DRDO has been inducted into the Indian Army by Chief of the Army Staff General MM Naravane during a ceremony held at Cariappa Parade Ground, Delhi Cantt.

Secretary Department of Defence R&D and Chairman DRDO Dr G Satheesh Reddy was present on the occasion.

The SSBS-10 m plays a crucial role in bridging the gaps up to 9.5 m as a single span providing a 4 m wide, fully decked roadway, ensuring faster movement of the troops. Research & Development Establishment (Engrs) Pune, a premier engineering laboratory of DRDO, has designed and developed the system in association with L&T Ltd.

The system involved the development of two prototypes of 5 m SSBS on Tatra 6x6 chassis and another two prototypes of 10 m SSBS on Tatra 8x8 re-engineered chassis. Both the systems have undergone rigorous trials from

Directorate General of Quality Assurance (DGQA), MET and User trials. After successful completion of all the trials, the systems were recommended for induction into the Services. The bridging system is compatible with Sarvatra Bridging System (75 m), where the last span requires covering gaps less than 9.5 m. The deployed bridge is of the load classification of MLC 70.

The system will help in the quick movement of troops and enhance the mobilisation of resources. The DRDO has vast experience in developing critical combat engineering systems like military bridging systems. Several

mechanised mobility solutions for the Indian Army like Single Span 5 m and 10 m, Short Span Bridging System, 46 m Modular Bridge, 20 m BLT-T72 and MultiSpan 75 m Sarvatra Bridging System, etc. have been developed.

Manually launched 34.5 m Mountain Foot Bridge was also developed by DRDO earlier. These bridges have been widely accepted by the Indian Army.

DRDO