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12 OEMs Receive Fresh RFI For 1,700 FRCV

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12 OEMs Receive Fresh RFI For 1,700 FRCV
According to the RFI, the Indian Army has plans to get 1,700 FRCVs, Transfer of Technology (ToT), maintenance and training requirements, as well as performance based logistics and engineering support packages

FRCV, is an armoured platform and when inducted in the Indian Army, will be used primarily for the Main Battle Tank (MBT)

A fresh Request for Information (RFI) to procure over 1,700 Future Ready Combat Vehicles (FRCVs) by the Indian Army has reached twelve manufacturers (Original Equipment Manufacturers). The RFI for the future tanks is going to be through the Strategic Partnership (SP) route and the induction of which is expected to be completed by 2030.

According to a senior officer, “The FRCV platform which the Indian Army is looking for is expected to be for future warfare and is also expected to have the capability to be used on other specialised fighting vehicles.”

Which countries/companies received the RFI and what will be offered?

The OEMs include: France Leclerc Nexter; Russia 1) T-90 & T-14 Armata Uralvagonzavod marketed by Rosoboronexpo (ROE); South Korea K1 Hyundai Rotem; USA M1AX (Abrams) General Dynamics; Germany Leopard KMW and Rheinmetall; Ukraine T – 84 Malyshev Plant marketed by Spectstechno Expo; Italy Ariete Consortium Iveco and Oto Melara (Leonardo); Serbia M – 84 Yugoimport; Israel Merkava Mantak/ Israel Ordnance Corps; UK’s Challenger; and Turkey’s Altay Otokar. And, Indian Defence Research and Development Organisation.

The RFI Specifies The Requirements

According to the RFI, the Indian Army has plans to get 1,700 FRCVs, Transfer of Technology (ToT), maintenance and training requirements, as well as performance based logistics and engineering support packages.

The companies are expected to respond by mid-September.

What happens to the previous RFI?

In 2017, a RFI was floated for the procurement of FRCV and now it stands cancelled.

Financial Express Online had reported earlier that South Korea based Hyundai Rotem was one of the companies which had expressed interest in producing the USD 5 billion FRCV meant for the Mechanized Forces. The requirement as per the previous RFI was for 2000 units to be produced under the `Make in India’ initiative.

The previous RFI had also specified ToT by the OEM, 40 percent indigenous content, upgrade plans, create ecosystems, and life cycle costs.

The 2017 RFI was issued under the ‘Make’ category and as per Chapter – VII under the Defence Procurement Procedure—2016 — provisions of the Armoured Fighting Vehicle segment of ‘Strategic Partnership’ model route.

Difference between FRCV and Future Infantry Combat Vehicle (FICV)

FRCV, is an armoured platform and when inducted in the Indian Army, will be used primarily for the Main Battle Tank (MBT).

The procurement of the FRCV is expected to replace the Indian Army’s old fleet of 2,414 Soviet-origin T-72 tanks. The FRCV is expected to be medium weight (45-50 ton). It is expected to operate in different terrains – like high altitude areas, developed, and desert terrain.

The Indian Army was looking for FICV for the replacement of obsolete BMP II (procured in mid-1980’s) which began its journey through an AON (Acceptance of Necessity) in Oct 2009, under DPP 2008, Make Chapter. This was for 2610 combat vehicles. However, as reported by the Financial Express Online, earlier, this FICV has been launched two times through Expression of Interest in 2010 and later in 2015. After undergoing several rounds of tedious evaluations by IPMT, the project has been put on hold.

What is the Indian Army keen on?

The Russian T-14 Armata, Ukrainian Oplot, French LeClerc and South Korean K2 Black Panther main battle tanks, preferred last time.

According to sources, the American M1 Abrams and the German Leopard due their heavy weight may not fit the specifications mentioned in the RFI.

In the previous RFI Indian companies including TATA Motors, Reliance Defence and Engineering Limited, Mahindra Group, Bharat Forge, Punj Lloyd, Tata Power SED, Titagarh Wagons, and Tractors India had expressed interest in forming a joint venture with the OEMs.

As reported earlier, the FRCVs are expected to have different variants: air-defence gun/missile system; artillery observation post vehicle; engineer reconnaissance vehicle; tracked main battle tank; tracked light tank; wheeled version; bridge layer tank; trawl tank; mine ploughs; armoured recovery vehicle; self-propelled artillery gun/howitzer; and armoured ambulance role.

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INS Arihant’s Nuke-Capable K-4 Submarine-Launched Ballistic Missile ‘Ready To Roll’

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INS Arihant’s Nuke-Capable K-4 Submarine-Launched Ballistic Missile ‘Ready To Roll’


NEW DELHI: India tested its nuclear capable K-4 submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM), designed to have a strike range of 3,500 km, for the second time in six days on Friday. The missile test, as the one conducted on January 19, was undertaken from an undersea platform in the shape of a submersible pontoon off the coast of Andhra Pradesh according to a report by Rajat Pandit of TOI.

The solid-fuelled K-4 missile is being developed by DRDO to arm the country’s nuclear-powered submarines in the shape of INS Arihant and its under-development sister vessels. INS Arihant, which became fully operational in November 2018 to complete India’s nuclear triad, is currently armed with the much shorter K-15 missiles with a 750 km range.

“The K-4 is now virtually ready for its serial production to kick-off. The two tests have demonstrated its capability to emerge straight from underwater and undertake its parabolic trajectory,” said a source.

India has the land-based Agni missiles, with the over 5,000-km Agni-V inter-continental ballistic missile now in the process of being inducted, and fighter jets jury-rigged to deliver nuclear weapons. But INS Arihant gives the country’s deterrence posture much more credibility because nuclear-powered submarines armed with nuclear-tipped missiles are considered the most secure, survivable and potent platforms for retaliatory strikes.

Once the K-4 missiles are inducted, they will help India narrow the gap with countries like the US, Russia and China, which have over 5,000-km range SLBMs. The K-4 missiles are to be followed by the K-5 and K-6 missiles in the 5,000-6,000 km range class.

The 6,000-ton INS Arihant, which is propelled by an 83 MW pressurised light-water reactor at its core, in turn, is to be followed by INS Arighat, which was launched in 2017. The next generation of nuclear submarines, currently called S-4 and S-4*, will be much larger in size.





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After Upgradation, Sukhoi Su-30MKI Indigenisation To Reach 78%

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After Upgradation, Sukhoi Su-30MKI Indigenisation To Reach 78%


India has received clearance to upgrade 84 Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighter jets, which will result in 78% indigenization after the upgrade

In a significant step towards bolstering its military might with indigenously developed technology, India is poised to witness its Russian-origin Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighter jets evolve into a domestic platform. Speaking at a recent lecture.

The upgrade program is being led by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) in partnership with the Indian Air Force and other partners. The upgrade is expected to cost US$7.5 billion.

The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) granted Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for the upgrade. The upgrade is part of India’s efforts to improve the capabilities of its primary fighter aircraft, it refers to as the “Super Sukhoi”.

This initiative is a part of a larger effort by the Indian Air Force to modernize its ageing fleet. Air Chief Marshal Chaudhari asserted the critical role of an offensive air force as demonstrated in current global conflicts and emphasized India’s move towards an indigenized arsenal. To this end, the IAF has been proactive, from upgrading its Mirage 2000 to enhancing its MiG-29 fleet.

In summary, the IAF’s commitment to updating their combat forces with the latest technology, including shifting to fifth-generation fighter jets, ensures operational preparedness and a strong deterrence capability. The gradual indigenization of its air fleet marks a pivotal shift in India’s defence landscape, reducing dependency on foreign imports and fostering technological sovereignty.





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Akash Weapon System Exports For The Armenian Armed Forces Gathers Pace

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Akash Weapon System Exports For The Armenian Armed Forces Gathers Pace


According to unconfirmed reports, Armenia is a top contender for an export order for Akash SAM system manufactured by Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL).

While there is no official confirmation because of the sensitivities involved, documents suggest that the order for the same has already been placed the report further added.
There are nine countries, in turn, which have shown interest in the indigenously-developed Akash missile systems, which can intercept hostile aircraft, helicopters, drones and subsonic cruise missiles at a range of 25-km. They are Kenya, Philippines, Indonesia, UAE, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Vietnam and Algeria reported TOI.

The Akash export version will also be slightly different from the one inducted by the armed forces. The 100-km range air-to-air Astra missiles, now entering production after successful trials from Sukhoi-30MKI fighters, also have “good export potential”, said sources.

Akash is a “tried, tested and successfully inducted systems”. Indian armed forces have ordered Akash systems worth Rs 24,000 crore over the years, and MoD inked a contract in Mar 2023 of over Rs 9,100 crores for improved Akash Weapon System

BDL is a government enterprise under the Ministry of Defence that was established in 1970. BDL manufactures surface-to-air missiles and delivers them to the Indian Army. BDL also offers its products for export.

Akash Weapon System

The AWS is a Short Range Surface to Air Missile (SRSAM) Air Defence System, indigenously designed and developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). In order to meet aerial threats, two additional Regiments of AWS with Upgradation are being procured for Indian Army for the Northern borders. Improved AWS has Seeker Technology, Reduced Foot Print, 360° Engagement Capability and improved environmental parameters.

The project will give a boost to the Indian missile manufacturing industry in particular and the indigenous defence manufacturing ecosystem as a whole. The project has overall indigenous content of 82% which will be increased to 93% by 2026-27.

The induction of the improved AWS into the Indian Army will increase India’s self-reliance in Short Range Missile capability. This project will play a role in boosting the overall economy by avoiding outgo of precious foreign exchange to other countries, increasing employment avenues in India and encouraging Indian MSMEs through components manufacturing. Around 60% of the project cost will be awarded to the private industry, including MSMEs, in maintaining the supply chain of the weapon system, thereby creating large scale of direct and indirect employment.





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