SOURCE: AFI
The Ministry of Defence (MoD), Government of India, has launched a procurement initiative to acquire 11 Rigid Hull Boats (Amphibious) or RHB (Amph), inviting prospective bidders to participate in the process. This unique acquisition aims to bolster the Indian armed forces’ capabilities with a versatile, dual-purpose vessel designed to operate seamlessly both at sea and on land. The RHB (Amph) is poised to become a critical asset for operations in diverse environments, from open waters to shallow creek areas, reflecting India’s growing emphasis on adaptable and rugged military equipment.
The RHB (Amph) is envisioned as a high-performance amphibious boat that doubles as a motorable vehicle on land, a hybrid design tailored to meet the operational demands of India’s coastal and inland waterways. Its proposed deployment includes maritime missions as well as support in shallow creeks—regions where traditional boats or land vehicles alone often fall short. This dual functionality makes it ideal for rapid response, troop transport, or logistics in areas like the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Gujarat’s creek-laden borders, or the Sundarbans, where seamless transitions between water and land are essential.
The MoD has outlined stringent requirements to ensure the RHB (Amph) meets the rigorous standards of military use. The boat must prioritize occupant safety and reduce operator fatigue, addressing the human element in prolonged missions. It is expected to deliver high speed while maintaining excellent sea-keeping features—crucial for stability in choppy waters—and a soft-riding hull to ensure comfort and control even at maximum velocity. These characteristics underscore the vessel’s role in demanding, high-stakes operations where reliability and performance cannot be compromised.
The design must also withstand the wear and tear of military service, with an in-service life of at least 10 years or 10,000 operational hours, whichever comes first. To guarantee this durability, bidders are required to provide a detailed reliability model, including predictions and validations from designers or manufacturers. This emphasis on longevity and dependability reflects the MoD’s intent to invest in equipment that can endure the harsh conditions of India’s diverse operational theaters.
The procurement process is structured with a clear timeline: all 11 boats, along with associated stores, must be delivered within 24 months of contract signing, adhering to a predefined delivery schedule. Post-delivery, the boats will undergo a rigorous evaluation, testing, and approval process as per the Quality Assurance Plan (QAP) and Detailed Acceptance Trials (DAT). This ensures that each RHB (Amph) meets the MoD’s exacting standards before entering service, minimizing risks and guaranteeing operational readiness.
While the RFI does not explicitly mandate indigenous production, the MoD’s recent procurement trends suggest a preference for involving Indian vendors under the “Make in India” framework. This could open opportunities for domestic shipbuilders and defense firms to collaborate with global OEMs, fostering technology transfer and strengthening India’s maritime industrial base. Bidders, whether Indian or international, will need to demonstrate not just technical expertise but also the ability to meet the tight delivery timeline—a challenge that could test the agility of India’s defense ecosystem.
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