SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
TATA-DRDO developed WhAP 8 x 8 Amphibious Wheeled Armoured Vehicle that was inducted into the Indian Army earlier this year in limited numbers will be facing serious competition from two more Indian Private sector companies that are planning to develop their 8 x 8 Amphibious Wheeled Armoured Vehicle in near future.
Larsen & Toubro showcased a scaled model of the Showcase 8×8 Wheeled Armoured Fighting Vehicle at DefExpo 2022 that is based on a new design but will use equipment and systems developed by the DRDO that has transferred some of the ToT to the Private sector company.
idrw.org was told by Larsen & Toubro officials that fabrication of the prototype already has begun and rollout of it will happen sometime in 2023 and it will be offered to Indian Army for internal trials. Larsen & Toubro is eying lion’s share of WhAP orders that it failed to corner, since Indian Army seems to be interested in more than one type of Amphibious Wheeled Armoured Vehicle for its requirement.
Mahindra Defence also has shown interest in the development of a Wheeled Armoured Vehicle for the Indian Army. It showcased models of 8×8 wheeled Light Tanks and 8×8 Wheeled Armoured vehicles. Mahindra Defence officials won’t confirm a possible timeline for the prototype being developed and their collaboration partner in the program.
Kalyani also has proposed its own rebadged 8×8 Wheeled Armoured vehicle that will be based on the Terrex Infantry Carrier Vehicle (ICV) that has been developed by ST Engineering of Singapore and Timoney Technology of Ireland.
Both 8X8 systems will have the capability to fire ATGMs, they will be equipped with a 30 mm Gun, a 7.62 Coaxial Gun, and Smoke Grenade Launchers.
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