A consortium led by Tata Motors is planning to bid for the Indian Ministry of Defence’s (MoD) futuristic infantry combat vehicles (FICVs) contract.
The consortium, which is comprised of Bharat Forge and General Dynamics Land Systems (GDLS), will compete for the Indian Army’s FICV contract worth $10bn.
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Tata Motors Commercial Vehicles executive director Ravi Pisharody said: "We at Tata Motors are proud to have joined hands with Bharat Forge and General Dynamics Land Systems, for a complete FICV solution for the Indian Armed Forces.
"Through this partnership we will be better positioned to help the country realise its ‘Make in India’ vision, for the first completely indigenised combat vehicle, at the same time cater to the opportunities available right here in India.
"We at Tata Motors have invested time and resources towards the indigenisation of our products and solutions, and are proud to have made significant progress with a working example of a wheeled prototype of the ICV, called the ICV Kestrel, developed jointly with DRDO."
The FICV is conceived as a compact, tracked and amphibious, air-portable, high-mobility armoured vehicle.
It is expected to fire anti-tank guided missiles to ranges beyond 4km, as well as carry three crew members and eight infantry.
The FICV will replace the Indian Army’s fleet of legacy 2610 Russian-built BMP series armed vehicles.
The order to build 70% of the vehicle will be awarded only to Indian firms, with options for technology tie-ups with foreign companies.
Image: The Tata-led consortium comprising of Bharat Forge & General Dynamics Land Systems (GDLS) will compete for the Indian Army’s FICV contract worth $10bn. Photo: Courtesy of Tata Motors.
