Bamboo composites to replace traditional building materials for bunkers in high-altitude areas 

The Army will replace traditional masonry materials for the construction of bunkers in high-altitude areas with bamboo composites. These composites will provide the same level of protection while being lighter and easier to transport to forward areas.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for research, design, and fabrication of epoxy bamboo-based composites was signed by the Army's Gajraj Corps and the Indian Institute of Technology, Guwahati, on Tuesday.

"The project will culminate in the construction of multiple defense works in high-altitude terrain for field trials, where they will be subjected to small arms fire and endure an entire weather cycle," a defence spokesperson said. The fabricated panels will provide the same level of protection, albeit with reduced weight, which will decrease the time and effort required for ferrying supplies, thereby enhancing force preservation.

Traditional materials for building bunkers include bricks, stones, cement, iron girders, and steel sheets, which have logistical implications for transportation. Bunkers are defensive military fortifications of varying sizes designed to protect troops and equipment from enemy attacks, be it small arms or bombs.

They also provide shelter against the vagaries of nature. Bamboo is known for its remarkable tensile strength and has been used for construction and support of civil structures since time immemorial.

Bonding bamboo stalks with epoxy resin, a tough polymer, will provide a high degree of structural rigidity and weather resistance, producing a lightweight, eco-friendly material suitable for deployment in remote and challenging terrain and inclement weather.

The move to develop innovative defensive materials comes in the backdrop of heavy military deployment along the Line of Actual Control in the northern and northeastern theaters, which has been continuing since the India-China face-off in 2020.

The Armed Forces, along with research and development establishments, are engaged in developing a host of indigenous technologies and materials conducive to India's operating environment.