SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
Bharat Forge Ltd., a leading Indian multinational company, has announced its participation in the development of India’s next-generation infantry combat vehicle, the Futuristic Infantry Combat Vehicle (FICV). This news comes after the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), led by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, greenlit the FICV program in 2023.
The Indian Ministry of Defence (MoD) has outlined a demanding set of specifications for the FICV. The vehicle must be amphibious, allowing for seamless movement across water bodies. It needs to be equipped with a manned turret featuring a future combat system (FCS) and the capability to fire anti-tank guided missiles (ATGMs) with a fire-and-forget mechanism.
Furthermore, the FICV must be integrated with a minimum of a 30mm automatic cannon, a coaxial machine gun, and a stabilized remote control weapon station (RCWS) equipped with a 12.7mm machine gun. To enhance soldier safety on the battlefield, the FICV must possess active protection systems, laser warning systems, and a troop compartment capable of carrying 11 soldiers.
The FICV program signifies a renewed push towards indigenous defense manufacturing in India. In June 2021, the Indian Army issued a request for information (RFI) seeking proposals for the development and production of 1,750 FICVs. This move marks the third attempt by the Indian Army since 2008 to replace its ageing fleet of Soviet-era BMP-1 and BMP-2 infantry combat vehicles.
Bharat Forge joins a growing list of contenders vying for the FICV contract. Other major players in the race include state-owned Armoured Vehicles Nigam Limited (AVNL) and private sector giants like Mahindra Defence Systems, Larsen & Toubro (L&T), and Tata Motors. Each company is expected to submit prototypes for evaluation by the Indian Army.
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