SOURCE: IDRW.ORG
Ministry of Defence (MoD), Government of India, issued a Request for Information (RFI) to procure a significant number of Light Specialist Vehicles (LSVs) for the Indian Armed Forces, particularly the Indian Army.
The RFI, aimed at both domestic and international Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) and vendors, outlines the Indian Army’s need for LSVs to support deployment along Northern Borders, particularly in high-altitude areas like Ladakh, where tensions with both Pakistan and China remain high. The document is structured in three parts: operational and technical requirements, vendor selection criteria, and response methodology.
These specifications reflect the Army’s need for a lightweight, agile vehicle capable of operating in hostile environments while providing adequate protection against small arms fire, a common threat in border skirmishes and counter-insurgency operations.
The Indian Army’s Northern Command, responsible for guarding the Line of Control (LoC) with Pakistan and the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China, requires LSVs to enhance mobility and firepower in challenging terrains. The vehicles are designed for rapid deployment, reconnaissance, and hit-and-run operations, making them ideal for countering small-scale incursions and terrorist infiltrations, such as those seen in Pahalgam. Their lightweight design ensures they can be airlifted to high-altitude areas, a critical requirement given the Army’s frequent operations in regions like Siachen and Eastern Ladakh.
Key physical characteristics of the LSV include:
- Crew Capacity: Minimum four soldiers, including the driver, with combat loads.
- Dimensions:
- Length (bumper to bumper): Not more than 5 meters.
- Width (wall to wall): Not more than 2.25 meters.
- Height: Not more than 2.25 meters with the gunner’s hatch closed, excluding weapon mounts, spare wheels, and antennas.
- Vehicle Weight: Unladen weight not exceeding 3750 kg, ensuring mobility in rugged terrains.
- Protection Levels:
- Cabin (all sides except front, top, and bottom) and engine compartment must withstand 7.62mm SLR hits from 30 meters at a 90-degree angle ± 5°.
- Windscreen, side, and rear glasses must withstand two direct 7.62mm SLR shots.
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