The Indian Army is set to retire 4,000 mules that have served in remote and mountainous regions and replace them with AI-powered robotic dogs. As displayed in the parade for 77th Army Day in Pune at the Southern Command Investiture Ceremony 2025, India is the second nation, after China, to feature this technology.
This shift seems to mark the end of an era for the animals that have carried ammunition, food, and medicines to areas inaccessible by vehicles or helicopters for 75 years.
Brigadier Hardeep Singh Sohi, deputy director general in the Government of India, shared a video of the display introducing these robotic MULE (Multi-Utility Legged Equipment) dogs.
New Kids on the Block.
— Brigadier Hardeep Singh Sohi,Shaurya Chakra (R) (@Hardisohi) January 9, 2025
Jai Hind 🇮🇳🫡 pic.twitter.com/PyNlzNmpDp
The ceremony also displayed the “Indian Army’s technological excellence, featuring advanced weaponry, combat vehicles, and state-of-the-art systems,” according to the Southern Command of the Indian Army X.
What are these Robotic MULE?
These four-legged robotic systems are engineered for critical tasks such as surveillance and supply transport. Equipped with thermal cameras and 360-degree sensors, they can carry payloads of up to 12–15 kilograms and operate in extreme temperatures ranging from -40 to +55 degrees Celsius.
Their adaptability to steep and uneven terrain, combined with an operational range of 10 kilometres via Wi-Fi and LTE, makes them highly versatile for military applications.
They are also designed to conduct reconnaissance in high-risk and mountainous areas, carry small arms to engage threats, and transport supplies to frontline troops, reducing risks to human personnel during combat.
The Indian Army has placed an initial order for 100 robotic MULE units to AeroArc (a Delhi-based robotics company), with pre-dispatch inspections of 25 units already completed.
These robots have a standby runtime of 20 hours, with CPU and GPU powered by the NVIDIA Xavier series. This move marks a significant advancement in the integration of AI and robotics into military operations, setting a new standard for defence technology.
The robotic dogs, which can navigate rugged terrain like their animal predecessors, will be supplemented by drones capable of flying supplies. While the robots can carry only 15 kg compared to a mule’s 80 kg, they eliminate the need for training against gunfire or carrying their food supplies, making operations more efficient.
Animal Mules to be Gone
Despite this modernisation, an army officer acknowledged that robots and drones could never replace the bond soldiers share with their mules.
“They kept us well-fed and well-stocked. We have memories of walking behind them for days and spending nights together in remote areas,” he told The Times.
Mules have been integral to Indian military operations, particularly in high-altitude regions. One mule, known as Pedongi, became a symbol of resilience. Serving at altitudes up to 17,000 feet during the 1971 war with Pakistan, Pedongi was honoured with a ceremonial velvet rug and retired in 1997 after 25 years of service.
While the transition to robotic dogs represents a significant technological advancement, soldiers acknowledge that the affection and companionship offered by the mules cannot be replaced. As these animals are phased out, the army is considering gestures of appreciation for their decades of service.
