TATA ready for the FICV proposal to Indian Army

TATA ready for the FICV proposal to Indian Army

FICV is one of the flagship project of TATA, who works with major Indian private sector companies like MKU and Bharath forge. FICV is intended to developed to replace the older soviet era BMP 2 infantry vehicle from Indian Army service. The replacement programs start effective by 2025, as scheduled. TATA chooses General Dynamics as their partner to design and develop the FICV in India.

General Dynamics already teamed with British military for the Scout vehicle program under the name of Ajax, Whose displacement about 38 tons. Indian Army looks for a modern infantry fighting vehicle whose tonnage could be lesser than 20 tons, for air transport, amphibious capability and cross country mobilization.

The flagship project valued of some $10 billions, for research and development, prototype test and also for 2400 vehicles, which include ambulance variant, mobile command variant, equipment recovery variant, and the main troop carrier variant, each of the FICV costs around $4 million, which include additional support system, maintenance equipment and weapon systems.

The FICV comes with a remotely operated 30 mm cannon, sometimes Nexter 40 mm cannon too be used for larger fire power, along with a anti personnel 7.62mm HMG, and twin anti tank missile launchers. The FICV is manned by three member crew, a driver, commander and weapon systems officer, FICV can carry seven fully armed soldiers for rapid deployment inside the conflict zone.

Additional protection systems include, 360 degree view thermal imagery and vision systems, composite armour, which can able to withstand from large caliber bullets, and soft kill mechanism to spoof off the infrared guided missiles, smoke and other countermeasure systems.

It's believed the FICV will be powered by 800 horsepower powerful engine developed by TATA in one of it's factory in England, and the transmission system used in the engine is developed by US major Allison, who is world leader providing automatic transmission systems to gigantic power packs.

The FICV already running behind scheduled, as first announced in 2008, the replacement starts effective by 2017. however so far no real progress can be made regarding this process. Due to the delay in the program, Ministry plans to upgrade the existing OFB produced BMP 2K into BMP 2M for the cost of some $2 billions. which allows the BMP to serve upto 2035 or upto the replacement with FICV. OFB front running to seal the tender, however the $2 billion tender yet to be finalized,

The dilemma about the BMP 2K upgrade program can be found here, first the Ministry awards the OFB to upgrade the BMP 2, after raising issues by private industry and Indian Army ministry cancels the same in early January, The new tender also available which is yet to be finalized.

As of now, TATA led teams so active and almost close to submit their proposal and start the R&D and look for pre manufacture variants. other companies like OFB and Mahindra also planning to enter the FICV program, however there is no concrete reports found about their interest in the FICV program.

It's better Ministry can cancel the $2 billion worth of BMP 2 upgrade program and can transfer the same into FICV R&D to fast track the FICV development to meet the scheduled timeline of 2025. The decision upto the defense ministry only.

Indian Army BMP 2 Upgrade Program

Indian Army BMP 2 Upgrade Program

    The Hyderabad based state run ordnance factory Medak has backed a major order to upgrade one thousand operational BMP 2/2K into BMP -2M standard. The US $2 billion worth upgrade is a planned mid life upgrade program to keep the combat vehicle future ready. The upgrade will equip the vehicle with new generation automatic grenade launchers and anti tank missiles. The BMP-2 is an all weather and terrain infantry fighting vehicle which can be easily transported by air and can mount amphibious attacks. The Indian Army operates nearly 1500 BMP-2 with well over 1000 vehicles operating as assault vehicles and the rest operating as ambulances, mortar carriers, NAG equipped Anti-tank missile carriers and NBC Reconnaissance vehicle.

    The BMP was initially developed in Soviet Union and is being indigenously licence built in India by Medak ordnance factory. The BMP is a highly reliable and versatile vehicle. Equipped with 30mm main cannon and a 7.62 mm gun for secondary support the BMP is a shot in the arm for frontline forces. Most of the second generation BMP is also equipped with second generation wire guided fagot or Konkrus missiles for attacking tanks. The BMP vehicles have the unique capability of mounting amphibious assault.

    The key point in the up gradation program is enhancing the night fighting capability of the BMP vehicles. Plans for replacing the existing 260 hp engine with a more powerful 380 hp engine is adrift. The addition of a more powerful engine will allow the vehicle to operate in the harsh hilly terrains. The vehicle will also feature advanced fire control and electro-optics systems. A more powerful and newer anti tank missile will arm the vehicle after the refit. Reports of the BMP having been equipped with Kornet anti tank missiles are doing rounds. The army has been demanding the vehicle be equipped with automatic grenade launchers, so the 7.62 mm cannon may make way for 30 mm automatic grenade launchers.

   The BMP's night attack capability will be improved drastically with the addition of thermal IR imaging systems and laser range finders. The BMP will also be equipped with newer fire control system and electro optical systems. The new thermal imaging system can track targets up to 5 km and recognize the targets as far as 3 kilometres. The main fire control system can be optimized into a hot stick, meaning the gunner can choose the exact weapon to destroy the target. The target tracking computer system equipped with laser range finders help the crew have an enhanced situational awareness of the battlefield.

     The upgraded BMP will capable of firing two Kornet missiles. Enhanced fire control system helps the crew to reload the missiles at much faster rate. The BMP can also engage on the move targets. The Kornet anti tank missile comes with tandem charged high explosive anti tank warhead or thermobaric warheads, equal to 10 kg of TNT. The Tandem charges can penetrate most reactive armours presently employed by most main battle tanks. The Kornet missile uses laser beam riding for target guidance.

   The addition of 30 mm grenade launcher is a shot in the arm for Army to mount counter-terrorism operations. The Russian AGS 30 or AGS 17, 30 mm grenade launcher would be added to the vehicles during the refit. These grenades are equipped with high explosive fragmentation warhead. The vehicle can also be equipped with flash or smoke grenades. Smoke grenades are used to provide cover from enemy laser targeting.which is the BMP's primary countermeasure system 

  The OFB factory Medak still producing those BMP 2's, along with the Russian support Medak Factory will modernize the BMP's with many Russian sub systems.

  

Editor Karthik Kakoor

Indian Army Evaluates TATA Kestral IFV

Indian Army Evaluates TATA Kestral IFV 

      The Indian Amry evaluating or field trailing the Tata  Kestral wheeled platform for limited number of Infantry Fighting vehicle for the Army's Elite corps, earlier in the Def Expo TATA unveiled a Model of a 8x8 wheeled platform for Army's Future Infantry Combat Vehicle, this one is produced with the  support of DRDO and manufactured by TATA. The Army now evaluating the Kestral before buy in limited numbers which helps them to go for huge orders FICV based on Kestral.

      Sources says TATA already provided three prototypes to the Army to conduct field Trails and evaluate it's performance before going to the order. the Army will further check the system and suggest the TATA for minor changes and improvements makes the systems best. the original contract value of the FICV program is about more than $10 billions to supply wheeled and Tracked FICV's to the Army. and the order numbers may goes upto 2500 to fill up and replace old soviet era BMP, and BMP 2 Sarath from Front line services,

      The Indian Army uses multiple variants of BMP 2 armored personnel Carriers. those BMP's comes with 30mm main cannon for heavy fire support and a 7.62 HMG for anti personnel use, but those can be replaced with Anti tank missile carriers, Specialized Mortars and so.but those lacks of primary protection systems like Laser warning Receiver, anti RPG rounds, and smoke launchers to Hide and sneak from dense enemy area's. so the need of replacement is must, those new generation IFV and FICV comes with automatic cannons and  protective systems with improved armor and mobility.

      The TATA kestral comes with fully Automatic remote weapon station, which  Requires zero crews to operate the weapons,  the Primary cannon produced by Konsberg Protector MCT-30R(RWS), uses a 30 mm Gun, which works as full automatic mode, the remote weapon station gets targets by laser and thermal readings, and engages with or without the approval of commander. the 30 mm cannon can fire small HE and small armor piercing rounds to kill enemy IFV and other armored platforms. the main cannon can hits the target accurately even at the Range of 3 Kilo meters,

      The Secondary weapon is the 7.62 mm machine gun for anti personnel use, the coaxial gun also assigned with the main cannon's fire control and target acquisition systems, this gun used to engage enemy cover and infantry soldiers at close and medium ranges to give additional support to the deployed forces in the battle area. the 7.62 mm cannon also used to engage enemy choppers in closest range, it can engage only enemy troop transporting helicopters and observation helicopters, not the Attack Helicopters.

       The FICV or IFV can be configured with two Anti tank missile systems, possibly Spike fire and forget anti tank guided missile, to engage enemy Tanks from standoff Region, gives full support to the IFV from Enemy Tanks and Armored platforms.  which helps the IFV can engage enemy main battle Tanks too. gives an additional support for the crew from enemy Fire. the Spike Range varied from 2.5 km to 4 km depend upon the variant of the missile.

      The TATA Kestral comes with additional mounting of either 40mm Grenade launcher or a 12.7 mm Heavy machine gun. the port will host any such systems, to give addition fire support to the deployed Troops.

    The Kestral can Transport nine fully armed Infantry Soldiers with three Kestral IFV crew, one driver, commander and weapon support officer. and can move at the rate of 100 kilometers in roads, and good mobility on cross roads, and Hills, the Kestral has amphibious capability can move in the  waters at the speed 10 km per hour.

     A 600 HP engine used in the Kestral to move the 25 Ton heavy IFV in roads and water, and gives good speed in cross roads desert and Mountain terrains. with the 25 tons of weight the IAF's C 17 can able to carry three Kestrals and the IL 76 can carry two Kestrals.

   It's expected that Army will clear the Kestral's field Trails and buy some good numbers. with the field of experience with the Kestral, Army will order more numbers to fulfill the FICV requirement.