Indian Army (IA): Equipment and News

"Tata Motors has signed a strategic agreement with Bharat Forge Limited and General Dynamics Land Systems (GDLS) of the US, for the Indian Ministry of Defence (MoD’s) prestigious Future Infantry Combat Vehicle (FICV) program. Tata Motors will lead the consortium, with Bharat Forge Limited as a partner, while General Dynamics Land Systems will bring in its much proven expertise in combat vehicle platforms.

Tata Motors will play on its strengths related to Design, Development & Integration of mobility platforms, while Bharat Forge’s will bring on board its competence with fighting platforms and manufacturing strengths. General Dynamics’ proven expertise, as SOSI (a system of systems integrator) in various integrational programs, will bring in the required competency enabling Tata Motors, the lead integrator, to offer a truly indigenous solution for this ‘Make’ program.

To be developed under the ‘Make Category’, the FICV is a high mobility armoured battle vehicle, for infantry men to keep pace with new advancements in weaponry system. The FICV needs to be compact, tracked and amphibious, no heavier than 18-20 tonnes, so that it can be air-portable and transportable by other means, onto combat zones. The vehicle must fire anti-tank guided missiles, to ranges beyond four kilometers, with a capability to carry a crew of three and eight combat-kitted infantrymen. The FICV will replace the Indian Army’s fleet of 2610 Russian-designed BMP (Sarath BMP-II) series armed vehicles, that are in operation since 1980."

Source: http://defence-blog.com/army/tata-motors-announces-strategic-partnership-with-general-dynamics-land-systems-for-indian-ficv-program.html

The FICV needs to be compact, tracked and amphibious, no heavier than 18-20 tonnes, so that it can be air-portable and transportable by other means, onto combat zones.

So they choose the Chinook over the Halo, so this decision means no helicopter transport options and they have established a joint venture with a US company to build a new IFV to replace the BMPs they currently have in service.... and they set the weight requirements to a level where the helo they have chosen cannot transport the vehicles.

GarryB wrote:

The FICV needs to be compact, tracked and amphibious, no heavier than 18-20 tonnes, so that it can be air-portable and transportable by other means, onto combat zones.

So they choose the Chinook over the Halo, so this decision means no helicopter transport options and they have established a joint venture with a US company to build a new IFV to replace the BMPs they currently have in service.... and they set the weight requirements to a level where the helo they have chosen cannot transport the vehicles.

I know, it's truly laughable.

magnumcromagnon wrote:

GarryB wrote:

The FICV needs to be compact, tracked and amphibious, no heavier than 18-20 tonnes, so that it can be air-portable and transportable by other means, onto combat zones.

So they choose the Chinook over the Halo, so this decision means no helicopter transport options and they have established a joint venture with a US company to build a new IFV to replace the BMPs they currently have in service.... and they set the weight requirements to a level where the helo they have chosen cannot transport the vehicles.

I know, it's truly laughable.

I am glad when India falls on its butt, trying to sit on two chairs without brains and without any solid plans for the future, maybe they will get educated a bit.

Werewolf wrote:

magnumcromagnon wrote:

GarryB wrote:

The FICV needs to be compact, tracked and amphibious, no heavier than 18-20 tonnes, so that it can be air-portable and transportable by other means, onto combat zones.

So they choose the Chinook over the Halo, so this decision means no helicopter transport options and they have established a joint venture with a US company to build a new IFV to replace the BMPs they currently have in service.... and they set the weight requirements to a level where the helo they have chosen cannot transport the vehicles.

I know, it's truly laughable.

I am glad when India falls on its butt, trying to sit on two chairs without brains and without any solid plans for the future, maybe they will get educated a bit.

I know right? We have a 'clear-cut' example how cost-effective a politicized arms procurement plan can be, just take a look at the GCC vermin's performance in Yemen....truly pitiful!!!

Would prefer cooler heads got control of things and they did not need a fall to see the roses...

GarryB wrote:Would prefer cooler heads got control of things and they did not need a fall to see the roses...

But they certainly need this big fall on their butts so every indian wakes up from this horseshit propaganda of Friendly west just like to many russians have been stupid enough to believe the West is good untill Ukraine, now they know it better. That is what i wish for the indians...and for us germans well, the tide will turn after nukes go boom that i know for certain.

"TATRA TRUCKS will present their products at the trade fair of defense technology Defexpo India 2016, which will be held from 28 to 31 March 2016 in India, in the town of Quitol, the state of Goa. We sincerely invite all those interested to visit our stand, located in Hall 3, booth labeled 3.2.3.

The Indian Army has more than 8,000 TATRA vehicles, making it one of the most active users of this technology. At Defexpo, TATRA TRUCKS will present the TATRA FORCE model range vehicle with AWD 8×8. In the future this advanced range should replace the older TATRA vehicles with 4×4 up to 12×12 configurations.

However, since 2012, following allegation of corruption charges against its previous Indian stakeholder, deliveries were stopped. The acquisition of TATRA Company in 2013, by Czech shareholders, enabled TATRA to return to India in 2015, with the establishment of distribution agreement with BEML, which will provide the completion services under agreement with the Indian Armed Forces.



Last year delivered 100 vehicles to India, mostly in the form of complete knocked down (CKD) sets; the company expects to deliver at least 250 vehicles in 2016, in different states of readiness for the final assembly. After-sales and support for the regional fleets will be provided by its TATRA India subsidiary.

The TATRA FORCE are commonly built for customers outside Europe. They are characterized by a liquid-cooled engine from a foreign producer mounted together with the Twin Disc automatic transmission which is incorporated into the central load-carrying tube. Vehicles have all-wheel drive; a torque distributor is integrated in the transmission. Axles are fitted with two hub reduction gears in two types available. Vehicles can be equipped with a tire inflation system. The FORCE range is available from 6×6, 8×8 through 10×10 versions up to an absolutely unique 12×12 version. These last two versions have steerable wheels on the two final axles. The drive to these wheels can be disengaged. Deutz, Cummins and Caterpillarliquid-cooled engines are available."

Source: http://defence-blog.com/army/tatra-is-returning-to-india-and-expect-to-deliver-250-trucks-in-2016.html

Tata, Ashok Leyland and Mahindra seem to dominate the large vehicle market. Reason why Kamaz, far superior trucks, don't operate in India.

sepheronx wrote:Tata, Ashok Leyland and Mahindra seem to dominate the large vehicle market. Reason why Kamaz, far superior trucks, don't operate in India.

Tatra is actually very good, even Israelis operate them. They have some KraZ trucks in India tho.

Not what I saw. And from my understanding from my inlaw, in India, these guys control the market due to corruption. If they say no to the trucks (since it will eat their profits, expect a few only to be sold to private firms. The army only operates TATA.

sepheronx wrote:Not what I saw. And from my understanding from my inlaw, in India, these guys control the market due to corruption. If they say no to the trucks (since it will eat their profits, expect a few only to be sold to private firms. The army only operates TATA.

Just to be clear Tatra is Checz automotive company, and TATA is Indian. KrAZ PMP 255b is used in India since 80s and some systems they obtained though time were on Ural chasis, so yeah there are some Russian trucks in Indian army, but not in quantities to be compared with Tata.

MALD-J EW pod can do the job too.

Werewolf wrote:

Militarov wrote:
Well that Stinger order was quite small, i am not sure what are they planning to use them with, probably with Apache, which sort of makes sense. And orders for Apache is quite small to justify "build in India". Well yeah corruption exists almost everywhere, Russia, India, Serbia, Greece, Iraq, North Korea, China.... even US however they legalised their corruption by calling it "elections funding" and "corporate aid".

India was always trying to reduce reliance on any side when its about weapons, so i sort of understand them on some purchases, its their country after all and i understand their wish not to be way too dependent on anyone.

Well certain aspects of Indian military and security forces in general are horribly outdated, like their border guard service still using Sterling as main SMG, as procurement of Beretta Beretta MX4 from few years ago was frozen due to corruption scandal.

Yes, corruption exists everywhere but that does not mean that they have to keep it that way. The point is the corruption in indian military procurement and import corruption is beyond Serdyukov level, next level would be yelzin.

Agreed, however corruption will never cease to exist, as much as i hate it.

"Manufactured by Ashok Leyland Defense Systems, especially for the Indian Army, Ambulance 4×4 is now on display at the ongoing 2016 DefExpo in Goa. Ashok Leyland announced at the DefExpo that the Indian Army has ordered 825 units of these Ambulances.

Ashok Leyland Ambulance 4×4 is powered by the H6 IL engine which is capable of generating max power of 167 hp. It is mated to a manual transmission with a two-speed transfer case. It has a top speed of 90 kmph.

Ashok Leyland Ambulance 4×4 has a kerb weight of 7,210 kg and a payload capacity of 1,000 kg. Seating capacity is at 6, including two berths for patients. Driver and co-driver in the front partition, doctor and nurse in the cabin with upper and lower berth for patients. There are special provisions inside the cabin to accommodate medical equipment, medicines, etc.

With a ground clearance of 250 mm, the Ashok Leyland Ambulance 4×4 is capable of traversing over the worst of surfaces. 10×20 section highway cum sand tyres offer good traction.
Key features include – optional 4 stretchers, HVAC for patient cabin, double walled insulated body, wash basin with water tank, oxygen delivery system for two patients with storge cabinet for two oxygen cylinders, inverter with battery backup, 4 auxilliary power supply ports, high intensity spotlight, insulated water tank, and refrigerator."







Source: http://defence-blog.com/army/indian-army-has-ordered-825-ashok-leyland-ambulance-4x4.html

Longest surface-to-surface firing weapon ‘Dhanush – 155’ also called as Desi Bofors is likely to be inducted in the Indian Army by next month. Dhanush will be the first indigenous developed gun to be the part of Indian armed force after 32 years of Swedish Bofors gun that was inducted in 1984.

The 155mm/45-calibre Dhanush gun was indigenously developed by Gun Carriage Factory, Jabalpur in coordination with Weapons Development and Execution Team (W-DET), New Delhi that is the main user of Bofors. Union Defence Minister, Manohar Parrikar, in a recently held programme, has stated that the Desi Bofors ‘Dhanush’ gun will be inducted from Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) and handed over to the Indian Army by next month to strengthen its artillery. Lieutenant General Ravi Thodge, Master General of Ordnance already inspected the preparations for production of Dhanush in GCF last month, while Chairman of OFB, Kolkata, A Prabhakaran will be arriving to visit GCF, on April 20 to take stock of the preparations for starting production of Dhanush.

“Dhanush-155 gun already accomplished comprehensive firing tests and satisfied the competent authorities. We are optimistic about out the induction of the indigenous gun by Ministry of Defence in the Indian Army, but any official notification is yet to be received in this regard,” said Sanjeev Shrivastava, Spokesman and Joint General Manager, GCF, Jabalpur.

While talking to ‘The Hitavada’, Shrivastava informed that the GCF is all set to start production of Dhanush with the green signal from higher authorities.

The gun was developed at the end of 2012, thereafter, it passed several clearances and firing tests in different torrential and extreme climatic conditions in Pokhran and Balasore firing ranges. The maiden indigenously developed towed artillery gun has longest strike range of around 38-40 kilometres.

http://thehitavada.com/Encyc/2016/4/19/%E2%80%98Dhanush-155-,-developed-by-GCF-Jabalpur,-to-be-inducted-in-Indian-Army-next-month.aspx

Longest surface-to-surface firing weapon ‘Dhanush – 155’ also called as Desi Bofors is likely to be inducted in the Indian Army by next month. Dhanush will be the first indigenous developed gun to be the part of Indian armed force after 32 years of Swedish Bofors gun that was inducted in 1984.

The 155mm/45-calibre Dhanush gun was indigenously developed by Gun Carriage Factory, Jabalpur in coordination with Weapons Development and Execution Team (W-DET), New Delhi that is the main user of Bofors. Union Defence Minister, Manohar Parrikar, in a recently held programme, has stated that the Desi Bofors ‘Dhanush’ gun will be inducted from Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) and handed over to the Indian Army by next month to strengthen its artillery. Lieutenant General Ravi Thodge, Master General of Ordnance already inspected the preparations for production of Dhanush in GCF last month, while Chairman of OFB, Kolkata, A Prabhakaran will be arriving to visit GCF, on April 20 to take stock of the preparations for starting production of Dhanush.

“Dhanush-155 gun already accomplished comprehensive firing tests and satisfied the competent authorities. We are optimistic about out the induction of the indigenous gun by Ministry of Defence in the Indian Army, but any official notification is yet to be received in this regard,” said Sanjeev Shrivastava, Spokesman and Joint General Manager, GCF, Jabalpur.

While talking to ‘The Hitavada’, Shrivastava informed that the GCF is all set to start production of Dhanush with the green signal from higher authorities.

The gun was developed at the end of 2012, thereafter, it passed several clearances and firing tests in different torrential and extreme climatic conditions in Pokhran and Balasore firing ranges. The maiden indigenously developed towed artillery gun has longest strike range of around 38-40 kilometres.

http://thehitavada.com/Encyc/2016/4/19/%E2%80%98Dhanush-155-,-developed-by-GCF-Jabalpur,-to-be-inducted-in-Indian-Army-next-month.aspx

"India is likely to buy 145 M777 Howitzers for $750 million to equip its Mountain Strike Corps.

The decision to buy ultra-light Howitzers produced by BAE Systems under the ‘Make In India’ program was discussed at a meeting on April 12 between Indian Defense Minister Manohar Parrikar and his US counterpart Ashton Carter. The artillery gun programme to equip the Mountain Strike Corps is being finalised as India and the US are in agreement on its “make in India” component.

The initial price notified by the US in 2012 was $694 million. The manufacturer has been seeking 10 per cent hike on the four-year-old price. The negotiation price is about $750 million.



The tender will be for associated equipment, parts, training and logistical support. The gun will come with laser inertial artillery pointing systems (LINAPS), maintenance, personnel training and training equipment, technical assistance, engineering and logistics support services. In India, the BAE Systems had tied up Mahindra as its business partner for its proposed in-country assembly, integration and test (AIT) facility for the M777 Howitzer."

Source: http://defence-blog.com/army/india-is-likely-to-buy-145-m777-howitzers-to-equip-its-mountain-strike-corps.html

India To Produce Precision-Guided Munitions Domestically

For the first time a domestic company will produce precision-guided and laser bombs in India for the country's defense forces.

Emerging private firm OIS Advanced Technology (OIS-AT) will partner with Sagem of France to manufacture the munitions, which India currently import from Israel, France, Russia and the United States for its fighters.

"OIS-AT has teamed up with Sagem of France to establish manufacturing for precision-guided guidance kits to meet domestic requirements," said Sanjay Bhandari, chairman and managing director of OIS-AT. "Separately, we also have plans to establish manufacturing for advanced munitions to meet Indian Air Force (IAF) requirements."

"We are pleased to collaborate with OIS-AT with our combat-proven, high-precision, AASM Hammer Guidance and Range Extension kit for aerial munitions for the Indian Air Force. With OIS-AT we have a partner with a core focus and appreciation of advanced technologies and innovation to advance our joint interests for the Indian Air Force," Sagem CEO Martin Sion said.

Since "the Indian and foreign private sectors are signing up for the 'Make in India' drive in true earnest, the Ministry of Defense (MoD) should now repay this faith by placing orders in value and size that reinforce the belief of the investing parties," said Ankur Gupta, a defense analyst with Ernst and Young India, referring to the government's campaign to boost domestic production.

For a decade, MoD has been asking Indian companies to establish joint ventures to manufacture precision-guided munitions (PGM) in India for use by the Indian defense forces. However no deals were signed, partly due to the capital investments necessary for such ventures.

"With the evolving procurement environment, joint production of PGMs in India will be encouraged in the future," an MoD official said. "We aim to buy a variety of homemade PGMs costing around $2 billion in the next 10 years."

In addition, India's defense research agency, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), is negotiating with Sagem for the joint development of the New General Guidance Munition (NGPGM), a 1000-kilogram-class bomb compatible with the Indian Air Force's Mirage-2000H/TH. But the proposal has made no headway.

IAF welcomes joint development and production of PGMs in India as India cannot develop and produce everything on its own, an IAF official said.

"The OIA-AT-Sagem collaboration will chart the course for the future," the IAF official added.

"UKROBORONPROM enterprise SE “SpetsTehnoEksport” from Ukraine and Indian company “Reliance Defence Limited” signed the memorandum on joint participation in BMP-2 tracked armoured infantry fighting vehicle modernization for the Indian Army. Cooperation primarily relates to the manufacture and supply of components and systems for improving BMP mobility, modernization of sighting and fire control systems. Indian park of different BMP-2 versions consists of about 2000 vehicles. Most of them require modernization and combat characteristics improvement.

“UKROBORONPROM is conquering world markets, having established itself as a reliable partner, qualitatively and timely fulfilling all contract terms. Enhancing cooperation with India will allow us moving to a new level, providing stable inflow of foreign currency. These funds will be used for production modernization and manufacture of modern military equipment for Ukrainian Army “, – said UKROBORONPROM Deputy Director General for Foreign Economic Activity Denis Gurak.

“Reliance Defence Limited” took a view of the world’s largest transport aircraft An-124-100 “Russian” and AN-225 “Mriya,” short take-off and landing military transport aircraft An-70. They assessed the possibility of passenger aircraft An-158 and promising transport aircraft An-178 during demonstration flights.

The documents signed are the result of the successful participation of UKROBORONPROM enterprises at arms and equipment expo "DefExpo-2016" and negotiations, initiated by SE “SpetsTehnoEksport.”

The Sarath is the name of the Soviet-made BMP-2 tracked armoured infantry fighting vehicle manufactured under license in India.

The Sarath is fitted with a two-man turret identical of the Russian-made BMP-2. It is armed with a 30 mm 2A42 dual-feed cannon, a 7.62 mm PKT coaxial machine gun and a roof-mounted AT-5 `Spandrel' ATGW launcher with a maximum range of 4,000 m. This missile is manufactured in India by BDL (Bharat Dynamics Limited). "

Source: http://www.armyrecognition.com/may_2016_global_defense_security_news_industry/ukraine_will_modernized_bmp-2_sarath_ifv_infantry_fighting_vehicle_of_indian_army_10805162.html

India's Ministry of Defence (MoD) has completed price negotiations with Israel's Rafael Advanced Defence Systems for Spike anti-tank guided missile (ATGM) systems for the Indian Army for an estimated USD1 billion.

Industry sources said on 26 May that the MoD's contract negotiation committee concluded consultations to acquire 275 launchers and 5,500 Spike missiles in completed and kit form along with an undisclosed number of simulators.

The deal also includes a technology transfer to India's state-owned Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) to build another 1,500 systems and around 30,000 additional missiles.

The contract for the manportable, fire-and-forget ATGMs featuring third-generation active/passive guidance systems, and a top-attack capability is likely to be confirmed before or during the visit of Israeli president Reuven Rivlin to India later this year, official sources said.

Deliveries are expected to be completed 48-60 months thereafter, while BDL will continue to licence-build the Spike for the next 20-25 years.

India's Kalyani Strategic Systems, which signed a joint venture with Rafael in February 2015, will also be involved in the Spike ATGM contract, supplying components and subassemblies from a newly erected facility in Hyderabad.

In 2009 the MoD approved the acquisition of 1,914 ATGM launchers and 37,860 missiles, including training rounds and 107 simulators, through direct imports and licensed manufacture to equip the Indian Army's 359-odd infantry battalions.

Rafael's Spike was the only ATGM to undergo user trials in 2010-11. Consequently over 50 of these guided missiles with a strike range of between 800 m and 4 km were tested and approved by the Indian Army.

The MoD has since continually deferred the Spike procurement on the grounds that it would be a single-vendor purchase, which since 2002 has largely been discouraged under successive editions of the Defence Procurement Procedure (DPP).

However, pressure from the army, which operates licence-built Soviet-era wire-guided 9M113 Konkurs as well as French MILAN and MILAN 2T ATGMs, fast-tracked their procurement.

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http://www.janes.com/article/60741/india-completes-price-negotiation-for-israeli-spike-atgms

The Indian Army launched a massive summer exercise with troops over the complete month of May in the riverine terrain of Punjab, involving over 13,000 troops and several components of artillery guns, tanks and infantry combat vehicles as a part of its efforts to project its battle supremacy on the Western Front, said a spokesperson of Vajra Corps Headquarters, Jalandhar.

Under the aegis of Vajra Corps, all ranks of the Panther Division commenced collective training by honing up basic battle procedures and drills at tactical and operational levels. The troops built the momentum of training gradually with increased combat tempo involving rapid mobilisation and execution of battle plans in conjunction with the Air Force, said the spokesperson.

A large number of innovations and modifications carried out by units and formations to enhance combat power were validated in the field. During the exercise, intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and communication systems were put to test in a network- centric battlefield environment supported by required operational logistics.

“The exercise entered its culmination phase in May end and was witnessed by Western Army Commander Lt Gen KJ Singh. Beside interacting with soldiers and officers involved in the exercise, the Army Commander witnessed various battle maneuvers by infantry troops, mechanised infantry, tanks, artillery, special forces troops and surveillance detachments,” the spokesperson further added.

The focus of the exercise was to validate operational and transformational effectiveness of various formations of Panther Division and achieving joint and seamless coordination among all the forces in the Indian Army in a NBC Warfare scenario so as to deliver the enemy a lethal punch with full might at a lightning speed, he further added.

http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/cities/jalandhar/13-000-army-troops-carry-out-massive-exercise/243676.html

"Ministry of Defence of India and Israel’s Rafael Advanced Defense Systems finalized deal for for Spike anti-tank guided missile (ATGM) systems, reported by www.israeldefense.co.il.

India will acquire 275 launchers and 5,500 Spike missiles in completed and kit form along with an undisclosed number of simulators. The deal also includes a technology transfer to India’s state-owned Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) to build another 1,500 systems and around 30,000 additional missiles. The contract is likely to be confirmed before or during the visit of Israeli president Reuven Rivlin to India later this year.

Deliveries are expected to be completed 48-60 months thereafter, while BDL will continue to license-build the Spike for the next 20-25 years.

In the early stages of the negotiations, India approved the acquisition of 1,914 ATGM launchers and 37,860 missiles. It was later published that they only want 321 launchers and 8356 missiles. The meaning of the new agreement is that India prefers to produce the systems and the missiles itself rather than to rely on direct procurement from Rafael."

Source: http://defence-blog.com/news/ministry-of-defence-of-india-and-israel-finalized-deal-for-spike-missiles.html

Militarov wrote:"Ministry of Defence of India  and Israel’s Rafael Advanced Defense Systems finalized deal for for Spike anti-tank guided missile (ATGM) systems, reported by www.israeldefense.co.il.

India will acquire 275 launchers and 5,500 Spike missiles in completed and kit form along with an undisclosed number of simulators. The deal also includes a technology transfer to India’s state-owned Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) to build another 1,500 systems and around 30,000 additional missiles. The contract is likely to be confirmed before or during the visit of Israeli president Reuven Rivlin to India later this year.

Deliveries are expected to be completed 48-60 months thereafter, while BDL will continue to license-build the Spike for the next 20-25 years.

In the early stages of the negotiations, India approved the acquisition of 1,914 ATGM launchers and 37,860 missiles. It was later published that they only want 321 launchers and 8356 missiles. The meaning of the new agreement is that India prefers to produce the systems and the missiles itself rather than to rely on direct procurement from Rafael."

Source: http://defence-blog.com/news/ministry-of-defence-of-india-and-israel-finalized-deal-for-spike-missiles.html

Price?