The Indian Ministry of Defense has initiated a request for information from suppliers and manufacturers of the scanners that must be able to handle whole standard trucks and those loaded with containers.

Trucks, up to 46 feet long, must be no more than 9 feet wide and just less than 15 feet high to fit through the large arch of the scanner that usually spans a single lane of road.

The scanners must cover the vehicle without the need to unload containers or unpack cargo, the RFI said. The scanners also must show electronically on video display units the full image of the truck from axle-level to the top of the truck without corner cut-off.

Of specific concern for the military are hidden small weapons such as pistols and sub-machine guns but also assault and sniper rifles, rocket launchers and mortars.

Also of concern are electronic components such as detonators, circuit boards and codex wires that could be used within improvised explosive devices.

The scanner must operate on an external independent power source for up to eight hours. It must be capable of sending an alert signal to the user if the scan can't penetrate areas of the truck and the cargo if it is packed too tightly.

Around 20 vehicles an hour must be able to be scanned effectively. No radiation harm must be done to other cargo including food, medicine and photographic equipment.

Technically, the scanner should be capable of variable emissions so that it adjusts according to the scanned object. For example, it would emit low-power radiation for a wooden truck body and a higher power for steel or iron body trucks.

The operating system should be based on Microsoft Windows or an equivalent computer operating system, or a superior multi-tasking operating system supported internationally.

The Indian military's interest in acquiring truck scanners comes after reports that Pakistan deployed at least two Chinese-made scanners on roads leading into Islamabad last month. Pakistan's scanners were purchased for around $3 million, payable over 25 years.

Up to 35 trucks a day can pass under and through the machine's 15-foot-high arch.

But a downside of the scanners has been complaints by Pakistani commercial truck drivers. They have had to wait in long queues while vehicles ahead of them are scanned. Many claim to be losing money because of the wait.

In March the government of the troubled Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir recommended buying whole-body truck scanners and locating them at two border crossings with Pakistan.

Smuggling goods and contraband across the isolated mountain valley roads has been a problem in the state, much of whose territory remains disputed between India and Pakistan.

"In order to ensure that goods coming into Jammu and Kashmir from Pakistan Occupied Kashmir are properly checked, the state government has recommended installing two such scanners," the state's Industries and Commerce Minister S. S. Slathia said in a written statement.

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