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Electric mobility is becoming more popular every passing day, and it has been reported that the Indian Army is also planning to replace its petrol-powered motorcycles with a fleet of new “Silent Scout” electric two-wheelers. These electric bikes will help the Indian Army focus on stealth operations, modernisation of combat logistics, and the adoption of clean and advanced technology. The tenders for procurement of these electric motorcycles were closed last month in March.

The Department of Military Affairs has issued two major tenders. The primary tender with tender ID: GEM/2026/B/7383148 has been issued for the procurement of specialized electric motorcycles and scooters. These EV two-wheelers will be specifically designed for combat operations.

Additionally, a complementary tender has also been issued. This particular tender with the ID: GEM/2026/B729693 is for the procurement of battery-operated messenger bikes. The main purpose of these bikes will be physical communication between command posts, which is crucial in situations where complete radio silence is required to avoid enemy interception.

As per the tenders and the reports, the EV bikes will be deployed across the country in diverse and extreme terrains. These will include Assam’s hilly and forested terrains and Rajasthan’s open desert regions. These bikes will be needed for long-range visibility operations and silent repositioning in exposed environments. They will provide a major tactical advantage, including stealth patrols and undetected movement near enemy positions.

Other notable and extremely important requirements of the Indian Army are that these EV two-wheelers should not be standard civilian EVs. They must meet strict military specifications, including a minimum of 5 years of comprehensive lifecycle support, and should be designed for harsh environments. Also, they should have long-term operational use.

Additionally, they must produce almost zero noise and should be inaudible from just 10 meters away. The specifications list has also highlighted that these EV two-wheelers should be able to function as tactical workhorses and must be able to carry fully armed soldiers (up to 120 kgs). They should also be able to carry weapons, communication equipment, and combat gear.

Apart from these requirements, they should also be better than petrol-powered vehicles in terms of thermal conditions. These EV two-wheelers should be able to cool down quickly, producing a low thermal signature. The main reason behind these requirements is that petrol-powered vehicles can easily be detected by thermal imaging cameras and surveillance drones.

The Indian Army has already invested Rs 175 crore in earlier green initiatives. These include the deployment of electric cars, electric buses, and electric motorcycles, which are used in regional peace stations. These new EV two-wheelers will expand EV adoption to frontline combat zones.

Rissala Electric, which is an emerging startup founded by military veterans, has been contributing to the Indian Army. So far, it has successfully tested and supplied electric ATVs and bikes, which focus on rugged, made-in-India defence EV solutions.

Earlier in January of this year, 10 Maruti Suzuki Gypsys were converted into electric vehicles and were then handed over to the Indian Army. These EV Gypsys were made by the Indian Army in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi and startup Tadpole Projects. They were showcased at the Army Commanders’ Conference in New Delhi.

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