Armoured Vehicles: News & Discussion

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SaiK
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Re: Armoured Vehicles: News & Discussion

Post by SaiK »

even with trophy or arena defence system?
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Post by Kersi »

ramana wrote:From Twitter

Defence Acquisitions Council, led by @nsitharaman, accords approval for procurement of 1000 engines of 1000 BHP for T-72 tanks under ‘Buy & Make’ category for over Rs 2300 crore. Post transfer of technology most of these engines will be manufactured by Ordnance Factories Board
Which engines are we getting for T-72s ? MTU ?? I do not think there are any Indian designed engines of this size in India.
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Re: Armoured Vehicles: News & Discussion

Post by Aditya_V »

This is related to news in July 2018

https://www.business-standard.com/artic ... 512_1.html
Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman handed over two categories of indigenised multi-fuel engines for powering main battle tanks to the Vice Chief of Army Staff on Saturday. The engines were developed at the Engine Factory Avadi (EFA), Chennai, a unit of Ordnance Factory Board under the Department of Defence Production.

The engines have been fully indigenised for the first time under the Make-in-India Programme.
The first engine with 1,000 HP, named V92S2, powers T-90 Bhisma Tank and the second, named V-46-6, powers T-72 Ajeya Tank and its variants. Though these engines are manufactured based on Russian design, EFA has worked tirelessly to make critical assemblies under “Make in India” programme and has emerged successful in its efforts. These assemblies, which include Turbo Charger, Super Charger, and Fuel Injection Pumps, were sourced from Russia earlier.

EFA will be manufacturing the two engines with 100 per cent Indian made parts, according to an official release.
I guess from the above news the V92S2 engine is being used in the T-72 tanks which are similar in design to the T-90 tanks, see Indian army procurement doc from Sep 16 where they planned to install V92S2 engines in T-72 tanks as part of upgrade

https://indianarmy.nic.in/makeinindia/i ... herals.pdf
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Re: Armoured Vehicles: News & Discussion

Post by Avinandan »

Noob question -> Can we salvage the old engines for something useful ?
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Re: Armoured Vehicles: News & Discussion

Post by ramana »

May be gen-sets as they are diesel powered but who will make a production run of 1000 gen-sets?
Not worth it except in dire straits.
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Re: Armoured Vehicles: News & Discussion

Post by Vips »

India eyeing T-14 Armata as Army Chief Gen Bipin Rawat visits Russia.
Indian Army is now planning to procure Russia's multi-purpose future ready combat vehicles (FRCV) T-14 Armata to replace its ageing T-72 main battle tanks (MBTs).

According to Sputniknews.com, the Indian Army hopes to buy 1,770 multi-purpose T-14 Armata FRCVs from Russia which is likely to cost USD 4.5 billion.

With the Army Chief General Bipin Rawat arriving in Russia for a six-day visit to the country on Monday, the spotlight is back on the deal to purchase T-14 Armata FRCVs.

The deal to buy T-14 Armata FRCVs, if negotiated properly and finalised in the later stages, is likely to further cement the strategic bilateral partnership between the two countries.

Shedding more light on Army Chief's 6-day visit, Col Aman Anand, PRO Indian Army, said, ''General Bipin Rawat is visiting Russia from October 1-6 an official bilateral visit. During the visit, the Chief of the Army Staff-led delegation is scheduled to meet Senior Military hierarchy of Russian Armed Forces and visit Key Military formations and establishments.''

''General Bipin Rawat shall be visiting Mikhailovskaya Artillery Academy, Headquarters of Western Military District at St Petersburg and General Staff Academy and Headquarters of a Motorised Rifle Division at Moscow,'' the statement said.

Interestingly, the Gen Rawat's visit also coincides with a bilateral annual summit being organised on October 5 in New Delhi during which defence deals worth over USD 10 billion are likely to be signed.

The T-14 Armata FRCVs are likely to figure in the discussions as the Indian military delegation led by General Rawat meets the top brass of the Russian Armed Forces and key military formations and establishments.

The procurement process for FRCVs was initiated by the Indian Army in November 2017 as part of a plan to induct hundreds of armoured vehicles similar to the Russian T-14 Armata, Ukrainian Oplot, and South Korean K2 Black Panther main battle tanks.

According to the proposed procurement plan, the FRCVs will be manufactured in India by a private company in collaboration with the overseas original equipment manufacturer.

General Rawat is also likely to discuss the maintenance and life-cycle support of Russian-made military platforms in India.

The Indian Army has expressed hope that Gen Rawat's Russia visit will take forward the military to military cooperation to the next level.

"The visit is yet another milestone in giving impetus to the strategic partnership between India and Russia and taking forward the military to military cooperation to the next level," it said.
FWIW: The news report is attributed to Sputniknews
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Re: Armoured Vehicles: News & Discussion

Post by sum »

Honestly, wont be surprised if it goes through
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Re: Armoured Vehicles: News & Discussion

Post by Philip »

Well, its the chief's call.However, if the IA does acquire an FMBT like the T-14 or equiv., it will be a massive qualitative leapfrog over anything that the Pakis can acquire.Even now the IA's armour is superior both in quality as well as numbers. What the IA does also need, perhaps more urgently is a light tank with amphib. capabilities that can be used both in the mountains as well as in amphib ops like the erstwhile PT-76 which performed so well in the '71 war.
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Re: Armoured Vehicles: News & Discussion

Post by ks_sachin »

Grrrrr. We should be thinking if we need that much armour...
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Re: Armoured Vehicles: News & Discussion

Post by SaiK »

Futuristic Infantry combat vehicle project gets delayed again; Indian Army to rework the project
The Indian Army is reworking the $8-billion Futuristic Infantry Combat Vehicle (FICV) project.
https://www.financialexpress.com/defenc ... t/1337697/
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Re: Armoured Vehicles: News & Discussion

Post by kann »

Hello All; appreciate you folks letting me join. Been a long-time lurker. I do have a query for any resident tank experts we might have regarding T-90's in service with the Indian Army. During a documentary; IA was demonstrating deep river crossings on the T-90. They pointed out how Indian Army uses "sealing putty" in panel gaps, weld joints and along the circumference of the hatch. Is this a standard practice on modern MBT's (like Merkava; Leopard 2 A7 ; Abrams)? If they need putty to keep water out ; do they need putty also to keep out Sarin or Phosgene? How is this tank NBC Capable if it is not even watertight ? Is this a case of poor workmaship and unique to the T-90's in Indian Army service or common for all T-90's? And finally ; am I reading too much into this and missing something ? Thanks in advance folks
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Post by gpurewal »

kann wrote:Hello All; appreciate you folks letting me join. Been a long-time lurker. I do have a query for any resident tank experts we might have regarding T-90's in service with the Indian Army. During a documentary; IA was demonstrating deep river crossings on the T-90. They pointed out how Indian Army uses "sealing putty" in panel gaps, weld joints and along the circumference of the hatch. Is this a standard practice on modern MBT's (like Merkava; Leopard 2 A7 ; Abrams)? If they need putty to keep water out ; do they need putty also to keep out Sarin or Phosgene? How is this tank NBC Capable if it is not even watertight ? Is this a case of poor workmaship and unique to the T-90's in Indian Army service or common for all T-90's? And finally ; am I reading too much into this and missing something ? Thanks in advance folks

Regarding armoured vehicles in an NBC environment, the crew is kept safe via positive air pressure inside the vehicle. The air pressure inside the vehicle is higher than the air pressure outside, hence contaminated air cannot come inside the vehicle via the gaps, crevices, etc. The only way for the contaminated air to come inside is through the air intakes, which will filter out the contaminants via scrubbers and filters.

Regards,
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Re: Armoured Vehicles: News & Discussion

Post by kann »

@gpurewal: Thank you! just to clarify And this mechanism wouldn't keep out water ? Also is there any record of western MBT's using sealing putty ?
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Re: Armoured Vehicles: News & Discussion

Post by gpurewal »

kann wrote:@gpurewal: Thank you! just to clarify And this mechanism wouldn't keep out water ? Also is there any record of western MBT's using sealing putty ?
We Canadians like to use Duct Tape for all manners of maintenance and other handy work; ranging from fixing the old Sea Kings, to sealing tanks. All jesting aside, the following is from a quora post (Canadian Forces have Leopard 2):

"Only if the tank is designed to be able to do it. For example from my personal experience, the leopard 2 is designed to be able to cross water with a depth of about 4 meters. But to do this, it needs to be prepared, there are special inflatable seals all around the vehicle that need to be inflated, and of course the snorkel needs to be mounted so the engine still gets air.

Even so, it's one hell of a leaky ride, but thankfully the tank also has integrated pumps to get the water out of there again."


ref: https://www.quora.com/Can-a-tank-be-pre ... ep-fording
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Post by Austin »

https://twitter.com/Brig_Raj/status/1057644480474570752

Army holds approx 1000 T-90 & 2000 ageing T-72 tanks. It has floated"Request for Proposal"to acquire1700T-14 ultra modern tanks. Army seeks:Weight<57 tons.Armament, 125mm smooth bore gun. Penetration: 650mm at 2km. Engine1500HP. Auto laser range finder.Tank armour thickness-600mm
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Post by sivab »

Austin wrote:https://twitter.com/Brig_Raj/status/1057644480474570752

Army holds approx 1000 T-90 & 2000 ageing T-72 tanks. It has floated"Request for Proposal"to acquire1700T-14 ultra modern tanks. Army seeks:Weight<57 tons.Armament, 125mm smooth bore gun. Penetration: 650mm at 2km. Engine1500HP. Auto laser range finder.Tank armour thickness-600mm
That is factually incorrect. It is not a RFP, but RFI. It was issued one year ago. The official PDF below contains all the details.
There is nothing about T-14 in it. Max weight is 57.5 tons, 120mm or 125mm is acceptable.

https://indianarmy.nic.in/writereaddata ... v%2017.pdf
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Post by Austin »

Thanks for the link , The weight is 50 T class +/- 15 and modular vehical from RFP

2. The Future Ready Combat Vehicle is proposed to be a Medium Weight Class Tank ( 50 Tons ±15% )


The lower the weight the better though as it affects tactical/strategic mobility and all up weight matters over bridge and other areas , I see French LecLerc and Armata as possible contender meeting specs quoted in RFI with French Leclerc having an advantage in proven design and combat proven in desert conflict and Armata being future ready due to modularity and isolation of combat module/safety. Weight wise both would be in IA specs on the lower side of ~ 50 T , The french electronics from Thales should also have an edge.

Eventually it will boil down to OEM meeting TOT and Cost as specified in RFI
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Post by Manish_P »

Austin wrote: I see French LecLerc and Armata as possible contender meeting specs quoted in RFI with French Leclerc having an advantage in proven design and combat proven in desert conflict and Armata being future ready due to modularity and isolation of combat module/safety. Weight wise both would be in IA specs on the lower side of ~ 50 T , The french electronics from Thales should also have an edge. Eventually it will boil down to OEM meeting TOT and Cost as specified in RFI
Come now, Sir. The Leclerc does not hold any advantage. It will be there only to give it some semblance of a impartial contest (No 'Rafale scandal' type moment). The past decades of using russian tanks (doctrine), along with the local PSUs maintenance and OEMs set up in place, will ensure that the Armata has the edge - operationally as well as logistically. What ever doesn't work (if it doesn't work out) on the Armata will be plugged by using French/Indian/Other equipment.
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Post by Austin »

Like I said the French Leclerc is a proven design with atleast a decade of running in ME and in recent conflict against Houthis they have done well even with those Barbarian Saudi/UAE having no clue how to use it in combat. Thats a novelty because a lot of flaws will get eliminated in operational environment
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Re: Armoured Vehicles: News & Discussion

Post by Philip »

For quite some time I've been touting the idea of mating the Arjun hassis with the T-90 turret. It appears that the Europeans have done just that with the Leopard chassis mated to the Leclerc two- man turret with an auto-loader et al.Considerable saving in weight giving a better speed, range, etc. I am sure that the samd can be done using the Arjun-2 chassis and the latest T- 90 turret in an experiment in short time.If successful- and we are making the T-90 at home, we would rescue the A-2 program to a large extent plus obtain a large part of our future MBT requirements from a desi- built MBT.Considerable weight- saving should put to pasture the " obesity" problem being used against acquiring the Arjun.The CVRDE should give it a serious try.
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Post by Ankit Desai »

Will Indian Army get $8-billion, made in India, Future Infantry Combat Vehicle? Fate to be decided soon
The fate of the $8-billion Future Infantry Combat Vehicle (FICV) project for the Indian Army is expected to be sealed when the Defence Secretary Production Ajay Kumar will meet with the stakeholders next week. Sources confirmed to FE that, “During the expected meeting on Dec 12, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) will decide the fate and the future line of action for the project which is expected to come under the ‘Make II’ category in an effort to involve the private sector in the defence sector to get more active in Make in India initiative.”

If all is clear then the Project FICV will go to the Defence Acquisition Council for approval. To be `Made in India’ it will have minimum 40% indigenous content.

According to sources, “The government is keen that this project is fast-tracked and it will speed up the modernisation of the armoured vehicles of the Indian Army.”

So far three companies including Mahindra and Mahindra, Reliance Defence and Engineering and Titagarh Wagons have sent their proposals to the MoD. The potential Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM) include US-based General Dynamic, Russian companies under the umbrella of Rosoboronexport, and German Rheinmetall – subject to approval – among others.

As has been reported by Financial Express Online earlier, initially the FICV project which was approved under the strategic partnership model for the armoured vehicle segment was considered under the ‘Make’ category under DPP-2008.

Under the Make II category no funding is required from the MoD, unlike the ‘Make’ category, where the ministry has to provide 90% of funds up to the prototype stage. As per the Chapter–III of DPP-2016, the ‘Make’ procedure for indigenous design, development and manufacture of defence equipment/ weapon systems was simplified in 2016.

Later a new subcategory — Make-II (industry funded) — was introduced with a major focus on development of equipment/ system/platform or their upgrades or their subsystems/sub-assembly/assemblies/components. In this subcategory, no government funding is envisaged for prototype development purposes, but there is assurance of orders on successful development and trials of the prototype.

Under the initial proposal of `Make’ category, the plan was to have three development agencies (DAs) – two from the private sector and one from the Ordnance Factory Board, and the MoD had to give minimum of Rs 500 crore each to the three DAs as per the procedure. While under the Make II category, the ministry hopes to save money, it will ensure that the delayed project will move faster, sources told FE.

The Project FICV which has a lifespan of 32 years, around 2,600 FICVs will replace the Army’s old Russian-origin BMP-2 infantry combat vehicles.
-Ankit
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Re: Armoured Vehicles: News & Discussion

Post by abhik »

"40% indigenous content" sounds pathetic, it needs to be at least 80% (both IP and manufacturing) - else it will be just another screwdriverigiri project.
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Post by Aditya_V »

Maybe pathetic but we can't run before crawling in the 1st stage.
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Post by chola »

abhik wrote:"40% indigenous content" sounds pathetic, it needs to be at least 80% (both IP and manufacturing) - else it will be just another screwdriverigiri project.
No, % of indigenous is far less meaningful than ownership of IP.

HAL can make 70% of the SU-30 MKI. But once the last plane of the contract rolls off the line, it is over. We cannot build the Flanker anymore unless we pay through the nose for another contract. THAT is screwdrivergiri.

The DDM moaned about the Dhruv being only 10% indigenous during its early days. BUT we own the intellectual property. We make as many as we want and derive as many variants as we want. It is ours because we own the design. Local content can always be raised later.

The FICV will be ours just like the Dhruv. It will be our design. NOT screwdrivergiri no matter what the percentage of indigenous parts.
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Post by abhik »

^^^
AFAIK it is supposed to be co-designed with the foreign partner (i.e. they will own the IP too) - its not like (for example) Arjun where we are importing specific components like engines and sensors from different foreign vendors (while we parallely try to develop our own). One can imagine if General Dynamics is chosen is the partner, we will own half, and the other half will be owned by US state department :evil: .

BTW are people forgetting that we developed Arjun tank, Abhai IFV etc ages ago? its not like do not know the A B C of making armored vehicles. Exactly what are the foreign players required for?
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Post by srin »

While it is true that we don't have the expertise and that it needs to be built, there could have been a better way of going about it.

Here's my solution (not just for the FICV, but also for say, MMRCA etc):
1) The foreign vendor - Roe, Rheinmetal, GD - needs to establish a fully owned subsidiary in India to manufacture the vehicles. No offsets and 100% FDI allowed
2) Only Indian nationals+residents can be employed to work. So, IP - even if it is screwdrivergiri - is built outside of PSU defence companies, so 20 yrs in future, we may have thriving private defence sector.
3) Any defence related import by these will be taxed at 30%, so there is incentive for the subsidiary to do local manufacture and not import from videsh. And exports have no tax.
4) After a suitable time (say, based on some partial fulfillment on the contract), the foreign vendor can gradually divest by selling stake to local corporates. But that isn't from day 1.
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Post by Karan M »

FICV is another lollipop project supposed to make the private sector into DPSU alternatives. Problem is as we have seen, lollipop programs only lead to demands for more lollipops. The same way as the Avro replacement is a completely messy and unnecessary program wasting over a 1000 crores when the IAF needs more fighters, munitions and C3I, the same way this FICV is another boondoggle when we can make do with upgraded BMPs and there are so many pressing requirements.
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Post by ParGha »

Aren't the BMPs' engines and transmissions getting past their 25-year service rating? At some point it will become more cost-effective to just buy newer and more capable IFVs than to play whack-a-mole with failing parts.

At the same time, if IFVs are less relevant to India's evolving security conditions - doesn't it make sense to start converting the GUARDS* into a relevant role (partial airborne?), and passing on their IVFs to reorganized Armoured Regiments?

As the terrorist attakcs on 16th Light Cavalry HQ demonstrated, the current organization of the Armoured Regiments is woefully unsuited for 4th Generation Warfare. They need an organic mechanized infantry company per regiment, at the very least.

*Selecting some of the tallest men in the IA, and squeezing them into tiny BMPs and BTRs, what the heck were they thinking :roll:
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Post by mody »

We are in the process of upgrading the BMP2 with new indigenous engines. I think the rating will be close to 400-450 HP.
Not sure about the gearbox. FICV should have a minimum indigenous level of 60% with 100% IP.
We have the armour knowhow, the engine tech for a 450 HP engine exists and new engines can be developed by companies like Tata and Mahindra.
The main gun can be sourced from OFB. Depends on the calibre of the gun. If its going to be a 30 mm cannon, then the same gun as the BMP2 can be used. Other sensors etc. can be imported to begin with, if required. The ATGM can be Nag.
FICV should be developed more like the ATAGS program. DRDO can design along with private companies and then private companies can build. Individual components or systems can be imported as required. progressively if a local alternative can be developed, great, if not the IP remains 100% ours.
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Post by Rakesh »

https://twitter.com/indiandefence11/sta ... 7974429698 ---> Up Close the 125mm 2A46M smoothbore gun of T-90S Bhisma.

Image
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Re: Armoured Vehicles: News & Discussion

Post by Rakesh »

Arjun Mk2

Image
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Re: Armoured Vehicles: News & Discussion

Post by Philip »

The Chins have started deploying their new 30/35t light tank with a 105mm main gun in the Tibetan region.Past time for us to acquire a light tank for mountain ops too.Been saying for a while that the Sprut could be an option also for amphib ops.
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Post by Aditya_V »

Philip wrote:The Chins have started deploying their new 30/35t light tank with a 105mm main gun in the Tibetan region.Past time for us to acquire a light tank for mountain ops too.Been saying for a while that the Sprut could be an option also for amphib ops.
With MPATGM;s, T-72 with upgraded 1000Hp engines, I think we should be more than a match in Ladakh which is only theatre where Tanks can be deployed in the India- China LAC
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Post by Singha »

and increasing numbers of high alt capable helicopters & heavy artillery too. plus lots of IAF bases in reach.

the army cancelled the polish anders light tank after evaluating it for a 300 unit buy for MSC.

we should go ahead with the FICV and built in large numbers. the BMP2 is a 60s era design that fails almost any modern yardstick of IFV.
preferably FICV should be more oriented to extreme cold temps, hills and tibetan type terrain also than TSP fixation.
a family of vehicles can be built domestically and benefit everyone
- command post
- mobile BFSR
- Nag delivery
- signals EW
- recon vehicle with mast mounted optronics
- drone launch and recovery
- raider model with no troops but extra ammo
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Post by nam »

The Chinese are trying out different kit to see if it works and they get a reaction from us.

There is no point inducting light tank with 105MM. Our light tank for the time being is T72/T90 with 120MM. And as mentioned with gunships coming up and long range ATGM, the counter is already present.

There could be an argument for making tanks lighter. The preferred way is DRDO starts work on a Indian T14, a 3 man crew, autoloader and unmanned turret , lot of composite to create a sub 50 ton platform, if IA really wants it. Being under 50 ton, it will allow us to use T90 engine, reduce logistics.

Invest in sabot tech, as with APS rolling out, our plan to use cannon fired ATGM is not going to work economically or capability wise.
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Post by nam »

On the FICV topic, frankly it is better to go for a deep upgrade of BMP. Upgraded engine, some bells and whistle, armor blocks based on kanchan. It will be much cheaper and faster than a new platform.

We don't have enough BMP in the first place. No point getting in another platform.
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Post by Singha »

its all about building domestic capability beyond that of ofbs for armoured vehicles. BMP upg will be kept by ofb only and there is only so much fittings you can change for what is a very outdated chassis and poor infantry room.

this is our golden chance to design and build a CV90 type vehicle family for next decades and progressively own all its IP and components incl optronics and engines which we always keep importing.

we will never design such vehicles like cv90 or fennec without a learning curve and just feeding the BMP lobby. as hnair mentioned, we sorely need a agile sensor rich fennec type FAC vehicle also to call in networked fires from the ground and air.

tibetan front calls for long patrols, away from support system, not short sharp exercises where units go out from depots. it needs comfort levels and persistence and reliability.

Image

Image
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Re: Armoured Vehicles: News & Discussion

Post by Austin »

Singha guru read my snippet on IA dhagha

With 13 % just available for modernisation IA can just hope for BMP and T's series upgrade there is no money for any thing else.
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Post by nam »

ts all about building domestic capability beyond that of ofbs for armoured vehicles. BMP upg will be kept by ofb only
No such thing will happen. If GoI wants, they can give some of the BMP upgrade contract to private along with OFB, however the lobby is too entrenched. Services get imported maal, MoD babus get to make decision on their sweet time and DPSU get license build. Everyone is happy.

A supposedly pro-industry party in full majority could not move the needle, I hardly have hope.

Regarding coming up with TFTA design, there will none, until MoD buys. I mean look at Kestrel, a homegrown private design, it has been years in trial, going nowhere.

Who will invest in decade long trials and paper work.
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Post by nam »

Austin wrote:Singha guru read my snippet on IA dhagha

With 13 % just available for modernisation IA can just hope for BMP and T's series upgrade there is no money for any thing else.
This is an interesting point. Despite "less money" T90 are been inducted at 100 per year. We have 3 times( increasing) the T80 in Pak inventory, which was the reason for T90 buy in the first place!

Compare this with the Pinaka and artillery buy.

If IA & MoD really wants it, they can get things done.

The advantage of buying local is you can manage different ways of paying vendors. GoI can easily give a interest free loan with couple of years of installment holiday from one of the PSU banks, if push comes to shove. They can pay back, once MoD pays.
Last edited by nam on 14 Jan 2019 15:07, edited 1 time in total.
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