Tatas target Rs 60,000 cr defence deal

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Tata Motors ties up with Bharat Forge, General Dynamics Land Systems to supply combat vehicles


he competition for a Rs 60,000 crore defence order, for the supply of 2610 Future Infantry Combat Vehicles (FICV) to the Indian Army over 25 years, has intensified. Joining the likes of Larsen & Toubro and Mahindra & Mahindra in the fray is Tata Motors.

Tata Motors entered into a strategic agreement with Bharat Forge Ltd and General Dynamics Land Systems (GDLS) of the US to bid for this project.

The company, which has been supplying combat vehicles to the Indian Army for years, will lead this consortium. Bharat Forge has come on board as a partner, while General Dynamics Land Systems will bring in its expertise in combat vehicle platforms.

The three partners will bring on the table their respective strengths to make a strong bid for this project, they said.

“Tata Motors will play on its strengths: design, development & integration of mobility platforms, while Bharat Forge will bring on board its competence with fighting platforms and manufacturing strengths. General Dynamics’ proven expertise as system of systems integrator in various integrational programmes will bring in the required competencies enabling Tata Motors, the lead integrator, to offer a truly indigenous solution for this Make in India programme,” the companies said in a joint statement.

Ravi Pisharody, executive director, commercial vehicles, Tata Motors Ltd, said, “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, while at the same time, cater to opportunities available right here in India.”

“Committed to the highest standards, we 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,” Mr Pisharody said.

Baba N Kalyani, chairman & managing director, Bharat Forge, said, “Our proposed partnership will constitute an important milestone, to help meet the Indian government’s objectives to strengthen indigenous defence capabilities, and particularly in land systems, with the FICV.”

Donald Kotchman, vice-president, tracked combat vehicles, General Dynamics Land Systems, said, “We have established a track record of delivering and sustaining international programmes in a timely and cost-effective manner. We look forward to working with our consortium partners in supporting the ‘Make in India’ initiative, developing the Indian FICV.”

To be developed under the ‘Make Category’, the FICV is a high mobility armoured battle vehicle, for infantry men to keep pace with new advancements in weaponry system.

The FICV needs to be compact, tracked and amphibious, no heavier than 18-20 tonnes, so that it can be air-portable and transportable by other means, onto combat zones.

The vehicle must fire anti-tank guided missiles to ranges beyond 4 km, with a capability to carry a crew of three, and eight combat-kitted infantrymen.

The FICV will replace the Indian Army’s fleet Russian-designed BMP (Sarath BMP-II) series armed vehicles, that are in operation since 1980.

The three partners will bring on the table their respective strengths to make a strong bid for this project

http://www.thehindu.com/todays-pape...t-rs-60000-cr-defence-deal/article8326093.ece
 

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