Future Infantry Combat Vehicle (FICV)

[Prashant12]

Army's combat vehicle project gets green signal


NEW DELHI: The Future Infantry Combat Vehicle (FICV) project worth about Rs 60,000 crore which began nearly a decade ago could finally progress this month. A panel of independent expert monitors (IEMs), appointed by the defence ministry, has found that the evaluation process for selecting firms to produce prototypes of the FICV is correct and the project should move forward.

The panel also said that a complaint filed by Mahindra is unfounded and was lodged to stall the procurement procedure, a top ministry source said. A MoD department dealing with the project had questioned the evaluation process at a late stage delaying the project. In addition, the complain from Mahindra, one of the contenders, added to this delay.

Experts say that it is ultimately the Army which has been adversely affected with the delays. It desperately wants to replace its Soviet-era BMP-2 infantry combat vehicle fleet. So, the FICV program has to progress because it will not just be a lethal platform, but also be the base for other defence R&D programs and a test of the Make-in-India initiative.

Explaining what led to the delays, sources said that the second expression of interest (EoI) in the project was issued to 10 vendors on July 16, 2015. An EoI seeks a firm’s proposal, capital expenditure and other details. The MoD had approved that government DPSU, Ordnance Factory Board (OFB), with two private firms would make the prototype. On February 15, 2016, the MOD received responses to the EoI from L&T, Mahindra, Reliance Defence,
Consortium of Tata Motors and Bharat Forge, OFB and Consortium of Tata Power SED and Titagarh Wagons Limited.

A MoD Integrated Project Management Team (IPMT) evaluated the responses on a few criteria such as commercial viability and technical capabilities of the firm. The IPMT submitted its report containing the shortlisted firms to the acquisition wing for approval in November 2016.

“The Department of Defence Production (DDP) mulled recommendations it received to either start the project afresh or select the five private industries to submit the detailed project report (DPR),” explained sources.

However, the 2008 version of the defence procurement procedure, according to which the procurement is being done, states that the Defence Procurement Board (DPB) would select the two best development agencies (DAs) out of the shortlisted companies for the design and development of the prototype.

Only then will these two agencies prepare the DPR and go on to make the prototype. Following this delay, the MoD’s higher authorities overruled the recommendations and instructed the DPB to approve the DAs. Two DPB meetings were held on September 19 and November 24 last year, but the decision on approval of the DAs is still awaited, explained sources.

Meanwhile, Mahindra had lodged a complaint, questioning the empanelment of three other vendors by the DDP for issuing the second EoI, said sources. ET had sent a questionnaire to Mahindra on its complaint, but it didn’t elicit a response. It had also sent a similar questionnaire on the matter and the project’s status to the MoD, but didn’t receive an official response. Sources, however, said that in November 2017, the complaint was referred to the panel of IEMs.

A senior MOD official on condition of anonymity said, “the complaint received by Mahindra has been examined by an external monitoring agency and found to be lodged with the intention of stalling the process. The complaint has been closed. The FICV program is on track.”

Sources added that the panel had submitted its report earlier this month, which also indicates that the evaluation process for selecting DAs is correct. “A decision for selecting DAs is likely to be taken this month,” said the official. The project had also faced delays prior to the development of the two main issues. The first EoI for procuring, the 2610 FICVs, was issued on May 25, 2010.

“It was retracted on December 4, 2012 due to perceived inconsistencies in the evaluation of the EoI responses,” said sources. It took close to three more years for issuing the second EoI in 2015, following prolonged discussions between the MoD’s concerned departments over the EoI evaluation method. Sources added that the FICV production was to start in 2017.

https://economictimes.indiatimes.co...perts-okay-processes/articleshow/63071229.cms

 

[Adioz]

Hope they are able to choose a vendor and design by 2021 so that production can begin by 2022. At at rate of production of 100 FICV per year, we will be able to replace the entire fleet by 2048. So 101 years after independence, Mechanised Infantry will finally gain independence from Russian wares.

I don't get one thing. How has the cost estimate come down even after 7 years of delays?

• Article from 2011 says FICV program wil cost 100,000 crore
• Article from 2018 says FICV program wil cost 60,000 crore.

Spoiler: 2011 article saying cost of FICV 100,000 crore

Private players to bag 1 lakh-cr army project to make Futuristic Infantry Combat Vehicles (FICV)
:balle:

http://www.deccanherald.com/content/134923/private-players-bag-1-lakh.html

In a wake-up call to the Defence PSUs and in line with the Centre's policy on indigenisation of defence production, one or more private companies are set to bag a Rs 1,00,000-crore tank project from the Army in the coming months.

Defence sources told Deccan Herald that the project to make Futuristic Infantry Combat Vehicles (FICV) –– infantry armoured vehicles –– was in the advanced stages and that the Ministry of Defence (MoD) had called for the request for proposal.

Although it is not clear who the private firms would be at this point of time, they said one or more private players, depending on their capabilities, will bag the order, as there are no PSUs contending for the order.

This, they said, was the first time that a defence project had completely barred PSUs from bidding. "The project is only open to private companies and those with adequate technical qualification will bag the order," they said. Another source said that firms with foreign collaboration/tie-ups will have an edge over the others, given the kind of precision the project will require.

"Unlike in India, foreign companies have the experience in participating in, and executing such projects. Thereby, those with joint ventures or partnerships with such firms will have the upper hand," another source explained.

The requirement of such tanks, as of today, they said is estimated at about 25,000.
India had in January this year unveiled a new Defence Production Policy that aims to achieve more than 50 per cent indigenisation in the next decade, and provides a major role to the private sector in defence manufacturing.

This project comes almost as the first move from the Centre, and in a very short time after the policy was unveiled.

This also suggests that the policy, which Defence Minister A K Antony and his deputy, M Pallam Raju, have been warning the PSUs of, was a conscious decision which they hope will show dividends in the coming years, making India a more self-reliant nation.

Sources said the army/MoD has already completed the field and facility visits of companies it has narrowed down on, and has asked for assurance of overseas transfer of technology.

The trend of private players getting a bigger pie in defence manufacturing, they say, is here to persist. Besides the FICV project, the Tactical Communication System project, which is at a nascent stage, will also have a bar on the PSUs from bidding, they said.

Spoiler: 2018 article saying cost of FICV = 60,000 crore

Army's combat vehicle project gets green signal


NEW DELHI: The Future Infantry Combat Vehicle (FICV) project worth about Rs 60,000 crore which began nearly a decade ago could finally progress this month. A panel of independent expert monitors (IEMs), appointed by the defence ministry, has found that the evaluation process for selecting firms to produce prototypes of the FICV is correct and the project should move forward.

The panel also said that a complaint filed by Mahindra is unfounded and was lodged to stall the procurement procedure, a top ministry source said. A MoD department dealing with the project had questioned the evaluation process at a late stage delaying the project. In addition, the complain from Mahindra, one of the contenders, added to this delay.

Experts say that it is ultimately the Army which has been adversely affected with the delays. It desperately wants to replace its Soviet-era BMP-2 infantry combat vehicle fleet. So, the FICV program has to progress because it will not just be a lethal platform, but also be the base for other defence R&D programs and a test of the Make-in-India initiative.

Explaining what led to the delays, sources said that the second expression of interest (EoI) in the project was issued to 10 vendors on July 16, 2015. An EoI seeks a firm’s proposal, capital expenditure and other details. The MoD had approved that government DPSU, Ordnance Factory Board (OFB), with two private firms would make the prototype. On February 15, 2016, the MOD received responses to the EoI from L&T, Mahindra, Reliance Defence,
Consortium of Tata Motors and Bharat Forge, OFB and Consortium of Tata Power SED and Titagarh Wagons Limited.

A MoD Integrated Project Management Team (IPMT) evaluated the responses on a few criteria such as commercial viability and technical capabilities of the firm. The IPMT submitted its report containing the shortlisted firms to the acquisition wing for approval in November 2016.

“The Department of Defence Production (DDP) mulled recommendations it received to either start the project afresh or select the five private industries to submit the detailed project report (DPR),” explained sources.

However, the 2008 version of the defence procurement procedure, according to which the procurement is being done, states that the Defence Procurement Board (DPB) would select the two best development agencies (DAs) out of the shortlisted companies for the design and development of the prototype.

Only then will these two agencies prepare the DPR and go on to make the prototype. Following this delay, the MoD’s higher authorities overruled the recommendations and instructed the DPB to approve the DAs. Two DPB meetings were held on September 19 and November 24 last year, but the decision on approval of the DAs is still awaited, explained sources.

Meanwhile, Mahindra had lodged a complaint, questioning the empanelment of three other vendors by the DDP for issuing the second EoI, said sources. ET had sent a questionnaire to Mahindra on its complaint, but it didn’t elicit a response. It had also sent a similar questionnaire on the matter and the project’s status to the MoD, but didn’t receive an official response. Sources, however, said that in November 2017, the complaint was referred to the panel of IEMs.

A senior MOD official on condition of anonymity said, “the complaint received by Mahindra has been examined by an external monitoring agency and found to be lodged with the intention of stalling the process. The complaint has been closed. The FICV program is on track.”

Sources added that the panel had submitted its report earlier this month, which also indicates that the evaluation process for selecting DAs is correct. “A decision for selecting DAs is likely to be taken this month,” said the official. The project had also faced delays prior to the development of the two main issues. The first EoI for procuring, the 2610 FICVs, was issued on May 25, 2010.

“It was retracted on December 4, 2012 due to perceived inconsistencies in the evaluation of the EoI responses,” said sources. It took close to three more years for issuing the second EoI in 2015, following prolonged discussions between the MoD’s concerned departments over the EoI evaluation method. Sources added that the FICV production was to start in 2017.

https://economictimes.indiatimes.co...perts-okay-processes/articleshow/63071229.cms

 

[ezsasa]

Hope they are able to choose a vendor and design by 2021 so that production can begin by 2022. At at rate of production of 100 FICV per year, we will be able to replace the entire fleet by 2048. So 101 years after independence, Mechanised Infantry will finally gain independence from Russian wares.

I don't get one thing. How has the cost estimate come down even after 7 years of delays?

• Article from 2011 says FICV program wil cost 100,000 crore
• Article from 2018 says FICV program wil cost 60,000 crore.

I don’t think BMPs will be replaced, WHAP will only supplement APC.

I am assuming tracked vehicles run well in deserts.

But yes!! if there is a tracked version of kestrel, then in that case argument can be made for replacement of entire BMP fleet.

 

[Adioz]

I don’t think BMPs will be replaced, WHAP will only supplement APC.

I am assuming tracked vehicles run well in deserts.

But yes!! if there is a tracked version of kestrel, then in that case argument can be made for replacement of entire BMP fleet.

FICV is not Kestrel. It is BMP replacement program. See:-

From 2012 defexpo, TATA FICV tracked model ..

As far as Kestrel is concerned, it is meant to replace BRDM in service with the Recce and Support battalions of Indian Army.

 

[aditya10r]

As far as Kestrel is concerned, it is meant to replace BRDM in service with the Recce and Support battalions of Indian Army.

How many pf kestrel would be ordered then???

I dont think more than 1000.

==============================================

 

[Adioz]

How many pf kestrel would be ordered then???

I dont think more than 1000.

==============================================

No idea bro. Last I heard, they were trying to raise more Recce and Support battalions. Because they are raising more RAPIDs, we can safely expect more Kestrel than the number of BRDM currently in service IMHO.

 

[WolfPack86]

#FICV_Update

Design is completed, Prototype next Year

Futuristic Infantry Combat Vehicle (FICV) : It will replace existing BMP-II. OFB has gone ahead with the development of this ‘Complex High Technology’ item after Integrated Project Management Team/ MoD conveyed that OFB to start Design & Development of FICV. OFB had participated in the EOI (Expression of Interest) issued by MoD for selecting Design Agency(s). Preliminary design has been completed. Development of sub-systems will be completed within a year and 1st prototype for internal evaluation is scheduled to be manufactured by December, 2019. Various varieties of its ammunition (i.e. 30mm Ammunition) are already manufactured by Ordnance Factories. OFB is further developing 30mm FSAPDS and 30mm PFFC ammunition to enhance the role of the weapon platform.
https://www.facebook.com/pg/TeamINDRA/photos/?ref=page_internal

 

[WolfPack86]

I hope OFB designing very similar to these Russia IFV.

 

[tharun]

Here are the few pics of the Tata Power SED FICV

 

[abingdonboy]

Army's combat vehicle project gets green signal


NEW DELHI: The Future Infantry Combat Vehicle (FICV) project worth about Rs 60,000 crore which began nearly a decade ago could finally progress this month. A panel of independent expert monitors (IEMs), appointed by the defence ministry, has found that the evaluation process for selecting firms to produce prototypes of the FICV is correct and the project should move forward.

The panel also said that a complaint filed by Mahindra is unfounded and was lodged to stall the procurement procedure, a top ministry source said. A MoD department dealing with the project had questioned the evaluation process at a late stage delaying the project. In addition, the complain from Mahindra, one of the contenders, added to this delay.

Experts say that it is ultimately the Army which has been adversely affected with the delays. It desperately wants to replace its Soviet-era BMP-2 infantry combat vehicle fleet. So, the FICV program has to progress because it will not just be a lethal platform, but also be the base for other defence R&D programs and a test of the Make-in-India initiative.

Explaining what led to the delays, sources said that the second expression of interest (EoI) in the project was issued to 10 vendors on July 16, 2015. An EoI seeks a firm’s proposal, capital expenditure and other details. The MoD had approved that government DPSU, Ordnance Factory Board (OFB), with two private firms would make the prototype. On February 15, 2016, the MOD received responses to the EoI from L&T, Mahindra, Reliance Defence,
Consortium of Tata Motors and Bharat Forge, OFB and Consortium of Tata Power SED and Titagarh Wagons Limited.

A MoD Integrated Project Management Team (IPMT) evaluated the responses on a few criteria such as commercial viability and technical capabilities of the firm. The IPMT submitted its report containing the shortlisted firms to the acquisition wing for approval in November 2016.

“The Department of Defence Production (DDP) mulled recommendations it received to either start the project afresh or select the five private industries to submit the detailed project report (DPR),” explained sources.

However, the 2008 version of the defence procurement procedure, according to which the procurement is being done, states that the Defence Procurement Board (DPB) would select the two best development agencies (DAs) out of the shortlisted companies for the design and development of the prototype.

Only then will these two agencies prepare the DPR and go on to make the prototype. Following this delay, the MoD’s higher authorities overruled the recommendations and instructed the DPB to approve the DAs. Two DPB meetings were held on September 19 and November 24 last year, but the decision on approval of the DAs is still awaited, explained sources.

Meanwhile, Mahindra had lodged a complaint, questioning the empanelment of three other vendors by the DDP for issuing the second EoI, said sources. ET had sent a questionnaire to Mahindra on its complaint, but it didn’t elicit a response. It had also sent a similar questionnaire on the matter and the project’s status to the MoD, but didn’t receive an official response. Sources, however, said that in November 2017, the complaint was referred to the panel of IEMs.

A senior MOD official on condition of anonymity said, “the complaint received by Mahindra has been examined by an external monitoring agency and found to be lodged with the intention of stalling the process. The complaint has been closed. The FICV program is on track.”

Sources added that the panel had submitted its report earlier this month, which also indicates that the evaluation process for selecting DAs is correct. “A decision for selecting DAs is likely to be taken this month,” said the official. The project had also faced delays prior to the development of the two main issues. The first EoI for procuring, the 2610 FICVs, was issued on May 25, 2010.

“It was retracted on December 4, 2012 due to perceived inconsistencies in the evaluation of the EoI responses,” said sources. It took close to three more years for issuing the second EoI in 2015, following prolonged discussions between the MoD’s concerned departments over the EoI evaluation method. Sources added that the FICV production was to start in 2017.

https://economictimes.indiatimes.co...perts-okay-processes/articleshow/63071229.cms

So what’s the update?

By the end of March we were meant to have seen this progress but still nothing

 

[WolfPack86]

Making high-tech weapons in India gets tougher

The much vaunted 'Make in India' mission in defence has received an unpleasant jolt. According to reports, the procedure called “Make”, under which the MoD would reimburse the costs of Indian defence firms for designing “high technology, complex systems” has been scrapped.

From now, development projects that were formerly being processed under the “Make” category will be moved to another category called “Make 2” — under which, defence firms will bear their own costs.

Industry analysts have said that companies have absolutely no interest in paying their own development costs. The long-delayed project to develop a Future Infantry Combat Vehicle (FICV) for the Indian Army was one of the defence initiatives immediately affected.
https://www.facebook.com/pg/TejasMrca/photos/?ref=page_internal

 

[G10]

In US the armed forces Fund development in universities for proof of concept and then invite tenders from private cos for prototype development. In short they fund it completely.

 

[abingdonboy]

Making high-tech weapons in India gets tougher

The much vaunted 'Make in India' mission in defence has received an unpleasant jolt. According to reports, the procedure called “Make”, under which the MoD would reimburse the costs of Indian defence firms for designing “high technology, complex systems” has been scrapped.

From now, development projects that were formerly being processed under the “Make” category will be moved to another category called “Make 2” — under which, defence firms will bear their own costs.

Industry analysts have said that companies have absolutely no interest in paying their own development costs. The long-delayed project to develop a Future Infantry Combat Vehicle (FICV) for the Indian Army was one of the defence initiatives immediately affected.
https://www.facebook.com/pg/TejasMrca/photos/?ref=page_internal

Are these morons intentionally sabotaging this project so they can justify imports?

 

[Kshithij]

Are these morons intentionally sabotaging this project so they can justify imports?

I think the industry misused the opportunity to design anything and everything with government funding. But most of the design could have been simply cosmetic changes rather than high end technology.

For example, FICV is a simple technology and doesn't require too much if designing. In the last defence expo, I could see several FICVs being paraded by different companies. I had then thought that companies have become patriotic and started designing so many vehicles. But, now I have come to know that the companies indulged in imprudence and wasted money by making multiple design of a simple vehicle at government expense

What India needs is genuine technology like electronics, avionics, radars, night vision tubes, GaN technology etc, not silly things like FICV.

I think it is the right way of doing things to not allow industry to misuse government money but instead make initial design in a coordinated manner with proper inputs from armed forces. Only development of new technology from the industry must be encouraged. Design and aesthetic changes by manipulation of existing technology must be discouraged.

 

[Butter Chicken]

Are these morons intentionally sabotaging this project so they can justify imports?

Probably.US had proposed a new jointly-developed FICV based on Stryker to increase commonality b/w Indian,US and Israeli armies

 

[Kshithij]

Probably.US had proposed a new jointly-developed FICV based on Stryker to increase commonality b/w Indian,US and Israeli armies

Why should India care about commonality or interoperability between USA and India? What kind of common objectives do India and USA have between them?

 

[Manish Khan]

The Future Infantry Combat Vehicle (FICV) project worth about Rs 60,000 crore which began nearly a decade ago could finally progress this month. A panel of independent expert monitors (IEMs), appointed by the defence ministry, has found that the evaluation process for selecting firms to produce prototypes of the FICV is correct and the project should move forward.

The panel also said that a complaint filed by MahindraNSE 0.89 % is unfounded and was lodged to stall the procurement procedure, a top ministry source said. A MoD department dealing with the project had questioned the evaluation process at a late stage delaying the project. In addition, the complain from Mahindra, one of the contenders, added to this delay.

Experts say that it is ultimately the Army which has been adversely affected with the delays. It desperately wants to replace its Soviet-era BMP-2 infantry combat vehicle fleet. So, the FICV program has to progress because it will not just be a lethal platform, but also be the base for other defence R&D programs and a test of the Make-in-India initiative.

Explaining what led to the delays, sources said that the second expression of interest (EoI) in the project was issued to 10 vendors on July 16, 2015. An EoI seeks a firm’s proposal, capital expenditure and other details. The MoD had approved that government DPSU, Ordnance Factory Board (OFB), with two private firms would make the prototype. On February 15, 2016, the MOD received responses to the EoI from L&T, Mahindra, Reliance Defence, Consortium of Tata Motors and Bharat Forge, OFB and Consortium of Tata Power SED and Titagarh Wagons Limited.

A MoD Integrated Project Management Team (IPMT) evaluated the responses on a few criteria such as commercial viability and technical capabilities of the firm. The IPMT submitted its report containing the shortlisted firms to the acquisition wing for approval in November 2016.

“The Department of Defence Production (DDP) mulled recommendations it received to either start the project afresh or select the five private industries to submit the detailed project report (DPR),” explained sources

However, the 2008 version of the defence procurement procedure, according to which the procurement is being done, states that the Defence Procurement Board (DPB) would select the two best development agencies (DAs) out of the shortlisted companies for the design and development of the prototype.

Only then will these two agencies prepare the DPR and go on to make the prototype. Following this delay, the MoD’s higher authorities overruled the recommendations and the DPB to approve the DAs. Two DPB meetings were held on September 19 and November 24 last year, but the decision on approval of the DAs is still awaited, explained sources.

Meanwhile, Mahindra had lodged a complaint, questioning the empanelment of three other vendors by the DDP for issuing the second EoI, said sources. ET had sent a questionnaire to Mahindra on its complaint, but it didn’t elicit a response. It had also sent a similar questionnaire on the matter and the project’s status to the MoD, but didn’t receive an official response. Sources, however, said that in November 2017, the complaint was referred to the panel of IEMs.

A senior MOD official on condition of anonymity said, “the complaint received by Mahindra has been examined by an external monitoring agency and found to be lodged with the intention of stalling the process. The complaint has been closed. The FICV program is on track.”

Sources added that the panel had submitted its report earlier this month, which also indicates that the evaluation process for selecting DAs is correct. “A decision for selecting DAs is likely to be taken this month,” said the official. The project had also faced delays prior to the development of the two main issues. The first EoI for procuring, the 2610 FICVs, was issued on May 25, 2010.

“It was retracted on December 4, 2012 due to perceived inconsistencies in the evaluation of the EoI responses,” said sources. It took close to three more years for issuing the second EoI in 2015, following prolonged discussions between the MoD’s concerned departments over the EoI evaluation method. Sources added that the FICV production was to start in 2017.

 

[WolfPack86]

According to reports the fate of much ambitious FICV for #IndianArmy will be known when secretary in Department of Defence Production Ajay Kumar will meet with the stakeholders on December 12. In pic: General Dynamics Griffin III

 

[cyclops]

Army's Rs 60,000 crore FICV project stuck in procedural delays, states official sources
They said another ambitious programme to indigenously manufacture a fleet of modern battle tanks, christened as future ready combat vehicle, is also not moving forward due to procedural delays.
PTI@moneycontrolcom

A 10-year-old plan to acquire 2,600 future infantry combat vehicles for the Indian Army at a cost of around Rs 60,000 crore is staring at an uncertain future as it is stuck due "divergent views" among the stakeholders on its implementation, official sources said.

They said another ambitious programme to indigenously manufacture a fleet of modern battle tanks, christened as future ready combat vehicle, is also not moving forward due to procedural delays.

The sources said a scheduled meeting among top brass of the defence ministry and the Army to discuss ways to take forward the future infantry combat vehicles (FICV) project last month was postponed due to certain differences over the programme.


The FICV was first envisaged in October 2009 and the initial process was started months later. However, the process of selection of private companies, which could indigenously manufacture the combat vehicles, was withdrawn in 2012 and a fresh start was made in 2014.


Infantry combat vehicles are used to carry infantry into battle field and are usually equipped with anti-tank missiles and heavy guns. The Army wants the FICVs to replace its Russian-origin BMP-2 infantry combat vehicles.

"The original plan is to induct the FICVs by 2025. The way things are moving, it is unlikely that we will be able to induct them before 2050," said a military official involved in the project.

The project is witnessing inordinate delays when China and Pakistan are fast enhancing their military prowess along the borders with India.

Military sources said while China has enhanced strength of armoured resources by seven to eight times in the Tibet Autonomous Region bordering India in the last couple of years, Pakistan was bolstering its forces by quick modernisation of its tank fleet.

It is learnt that there have been serious differences between the Army headquarters and the defence ministry on implementation of the FICV project.

The private sector defence firms which evinced interests in the ambitious FICV project included Mahindra and Mahindra, Reliance Defence, L and T, Tata Motors and Bharat Forge Ltd.

According to the original proposal, the FICV were to be manufactured under the 'Make (high tech) category' of the Defence Procurement Procedure (DPP).

Under this plan, the government was to select state-run Ordnance Factory Board and two other private firms for separately developing prototypes of the FICVs. A total of around Rs 3,000 crore was to be spent on developing the prototypes by each of the three firms, the sources said.

They said the plan was that the government would bear 80 per cent of the total cost of developing the prototypes and the individual firms would contribute the remaining 20 per cent.

The then Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar was also favouring the model, the sources said.

However, last year a major defence manufacturer offered to develop the prototypes under the Make II category of the DPP in which no government funding is required for developing the prototype, said the sources.

They said the offer has made certain sections in the defence ministry to examine the option as it will result in saving of huge amount of financial resources.

The sources said there has been another view in the military establishment that if the company was interested in making the prototype under Make II category, then why did it not make the offer earlier.

"At the moment, the project is going nowhere. The Army does not want it under Make II category as it will further delay the project," said another official involved in the project.

The delay in the decision making process has also been attributed to a complaint filed with the defence ministry by one of the short-listed private firms.

The sources said the Army wants the FICVs as soon as possible as both China and Pakistan were significantly enhancing their border infrastructure.

They said the Army was particularly concerned over China deploying light tanks along certain sensitive sectors along the nearly 4,000 km border.

https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/i...l-delays-states-official-sources-3347401.html

Which company can make it under Make 2?
TATA's FICV concept seemed to be more mature but antics like these can also be attributed to Reliance.
We should really fix our DPPs, coz this s#it is costing us years of deterrence.

First Image is the Mahindra FICV concept rest are TATA's.

 

[Chinmoy]

Army's Rs 60,000 crore FICV project stuck in procedural delays, states official sources
They said another ambitious programme to indigenously manufacture a fleet of modern battle tanks, christened as future ready combat vehicle, is also not moving forward due to procedural delays.
PTI@moneycontrolcom

A 10-year-old plan to acquire 2,600 future infantry combat vehicles for the Indian Army at a cost of around Rs 60,000 crore is staring at an uncertain future as it is stuck due "divergent views" among the stakeholders on its implementation, official sources said.

They said another ambitious programme to indigenously manufacture a fleet of modern battle tanks, christened as future ready combat vehicle, is also not moving forward due to procedural delays.

The sources said a scheduled meeting among top brass of the defence ministry and the Army to discuss ways to take forward the future infantry combat vehicles (FICV) project last month was postponed due to certain differences over the programme.


The FICV was first envisaged in October 2009 and the initial process was started months later. However, the process of selection of private companies, which could indigenously manufacture the combat vehicles, was withdrawn in 2012 and a fresh start was made in 2014.


Infantry combat vehicles are used to carry infantry into battle field and are usually equipped with anti-tank missiles and heavy guns. The Army wants the FICVs to replace its Russian-origin BMP-2 infantry combat vehicles.

"The original plan is to induct the FICVs by 2025. The way things are moving, it is unlikely that we will be able to induct them before 2050," said a military official involved in the project.

The project is witnessing inordinate delays when China and Pakistan are fast enhancing their military prowess along the borders with India.

Military sources said while China has enhanced strength of armoured resources by seven to eight times in the Tibet Autonomous Region bordering India in the last couple of years, Pakistan was bolstering its forces by quick modernisation of its tank fleet.

It is learnt that there have been serious differences between the Army headquarters and the defence ministry on implementation of the FICV project.

The private sector defence firms which evinced interests in the ambitious FICV project included Mahindra and Mahindra, Reliance Defence, L and T, Tata Motors and Bharat Forge Ltd.

According to the original proposal, the FICV were to be manufactured under the 'Make (high tech) category' of the Defence Procurement Procedure (DPP).

Under this plan, the government was to select state-run Ordnance Factory Board and two other private firms for separately developing prototypes of the FICVs. A total of around Rs 3,000 crore was to be spent on developing the prototypes by each of the three firms, the sources said.

They said the plan was that the government would bear 80 per cent of the total cost of developing the prototypes and the individual firms would contribute the remaining 20 per cent.

The then Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar was also favouring the model, the sources said.

However, last year a major defence manufacturer offered to develop the prototypes under the Make II category of the DPP in which no government funding is required for developing the prototype, said the sources.

They said the offer has made certain sections in the defence ministry to examine the option as it will result in saving of huge amount of financial resources.

The sources said there has been another view in the military establishment that if the company was interested in making the prototype under Make II category, then why did it not make the offer earlier.

"At the moment, the project is going nowhere. The Army does not want it under Make II category as it will further delay the project," said another official involved in the project.

The delay in the decision making process has also been attributed to a complaint filed with the defence ministry by one of the short-listed private firms.

The sources said the Army wants the FICVs as soon as possible as both China and Pakistan were significantly enhancing their border infrastructure.

They said the Army was particularly concerned over China deploying light tanks along certain sensitive sectors along the nearly 4,000 km border.

https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/i...l-delays-states-official-sources-3347401.html

Which company can make it under Make 2?
TATA's FICV concept seemed to be more mature but antics like these can also be attributed to Reliance.
We should really fix our DPPs, coz this s#it is costing us years of deterrence.

First Image is the Mahindra FICV concept rest are TATA's.
View attachment 30799

Yes.... Its TATA who said that they could create one without government funding. But I wonder why IA is apprehensive about it and saying that it would further delay things. On one hand they are not satisfied with OFB products, on other hand they want their involvement.

What IA wants?