Hoofed sentinels: In flood-hit Dharali, Army mules ferry supplies where no vehicles can reach
Negotiating debris, wading through water, and climbing over slush where tracks have been washed away, the Army’s mules are playing a silent yet vital role in delivering supplies to flood-stricken areas of Dharali in Uttarakhand — that remain inaccessible to vehicles after last week’s devastating flash floods.
Led by their handlers, columns of mules laden with essential supplies have been making their way to remote hill habitats that are accessible only on foot.
Videos and photos show troops — barefoot, trousers rolled up — trudging through loose soil, crossing flooded patches, and moving over makeshift bridges and tracks, gently nudging along the beasts of burden that have long been a vital part of military logistics in the mountains.
“Mechanisation cannot fully replace Animal Transport (AT) and they are the silent warriors working tirelessly towards assisting the civil administration in Operation Dharali,” the Army’s Uttar Bharat Area said in a post on X.
The mules, along with ponies, horses and dogs, belong to the Remount and Veterinary Corps (RVC), which is responsible for the training, breeding, procurement, care and management of animals used in military operations.
Animals in military service form an integral part of disaster management operations and are employed for search and rescue missions and also for transporting supplies to inaccessible areas.
The Army has approximately 4,000 mules that make up 15 units. These animals undergo rigorous training and battle inoculation to make them capable of serving in tough conditions and different operational environments. A mule can carry up to 80 kg of supplies.
Recently, the Indian Army has started supplementing animal transport with other mechanical equipment like drones and robotic mules. Their use has also been demonstrated publicly at ceremonial parades and equipment exhibitions.
Dubbed as Multi-Utility Legged Equipment (MULES), robotic mules at present have been designed to carry 12–15 kg load and are capable of operating in extreme climatic conditions ranging from minus 40 degrees Celsius to 55 degrees Celsius.
However, being much shorter and smaller than the traditional animals, and containing electronics and electrically operating components, MULES have some limitations in operating in flooded areas or places where foothold is difficult, sources said.
During Operation Brahma in Myanmar in February 2025, Indian Army columns deployed for earthquake relief had used MULES along with nano-drones for surveillance, assessing structural damage and carrying equipment in unstable terrain.
The Army plans to reduce reliance on animal transport by 60% by 2030. While robotic mules enhance efficiency and reduce risks to human soldiers in many operational scenarios, Army sources said that traditional mules remain indispensable for logistics and flood relief in the mountains.
India