Indian Private Sector Poised to Lead Future Ready Combat Vehicle (FRCV) Program

SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG

Indian private sector companies are gearing up to participate in the Future Ready Combat Vehicle (FRCV) program, an ambitious initiative by the Indian Army to replace its ageing fleet of T-72 tanks with a modern, domestically-developed main battle tank (MBT). The project reflects a renewed emphasis on leveraging indigenous defence manufacturing capabilities, ensuring that the challenges faced during the Arjun MBT program—including a limited order book of fewer than 250 units over three decades—are not repeated.

The Indian Army has assured potential bidders that the selected MBT under the FRCV program will have a guaranteed production run of 1,650 units, divided into three batches of 550 MBTs each. Industrial sources indicate that the Army has promised a robust procurement plan to ensure financial viability for participating private sector companies. By structuring the program this way, companies are expected to break even after the delivery of the first batch, thereby mitigating financial risks and encouraging significant investments in the development and production of the tanks.