Indian Army Decides To Remove Four Decades Old Combat Vehicles, Amidst Conflicts With China

New Delhi, 25th June 2021: Amidst the ongoing tussle with China over the border dispute, the Indian Army has decided to replace the 40-year-old combat vehicles deployed on various borders including Eastern Ladakh. The process has been started, but even then, it will take two-three years more. These are bulletproof vehicles that can fit weapons in them and are considered extremely safe for the movement of soldiers in war zones or during counter-attacks.

Army sources said that now, these vehicles will be manufactured in India. Therefore, proposals were sought from the producers on behalf of the army. However, domestic manufacturers have been given an exemption, they can also partner with foreign companies to manufacture.

According to army sources, each battalion is given such combat vehicles for the safe movement of troops during combat missions. Army has about 1,700 such vehicles, but most of them are BMP vehicles from the 1980s that were imported from Russia. Later some of them were also made by ordnance factories. It will be replaced by Futuristic Infantry Combat Vehicles (FIVC).

Army sources said all these vehicles needed replacement. The Army had wanted to replace them, but the purchase of these vehicles was a total cost of about 60-65 thousand crores thus, it was delayed. However, the government has decided to buy them and has sought proposals from domestic manufacturers.

According to sources, the suppliers will have to supply 75-100 vehicles per annum after they sign the contract. Of this, 55 percent will be vehicles with guns and the rest will have other features. Proposals have been sought from the makers within a week. These vehicles can work in temperatures below minus 20-30 degrees and more than 45 degrees. They can be driven anywhere in rivers, streams, forests, railways at a speed of 10 km per hour. They are not only bulletproof but also not affected by the attack of heavy ammunition.