Future Infantry Combat Vehicle (FICV)

WolfPack86

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FICV developed by OFB Medak

The RFI issued by the Indian Army specifies that it intends to procure up to 1,750 FICVs in three versions.
The three versions are a 'gun version', a command version and a command and surveillance version. The
'gun version', which is primarily meant for combat operations, will constitute the bulk of the intended order
quantity (55 per cent). Command versions of infantry combat vehicles are used by battlefield commanders
to direct operations and correspond with superiors.
Broad Operational Requirements laid down in the RFI
 FICV will have amphibious capability in terms of mobility
 FICV will have high protection levels in the frontal arc at STANAG 5 against 25mm APDS, which can be

upgraded to STANAG 6 against 30mm APFSDS, with removable armour panels. It also lays down STANAG
4, against 14.5mm AP, on the sides & top as also STANAG 3B, 8kg mine explosive under belly.
 FICV should have a power to weight ratio of 30HP/Ton
 the gun version of the FICV should be capable of housing a crew of three and carrying at least eight
soldiers, the remaining two variants should have a crew of three and should carry four soldiers.

FICV should be equipped with at least a 30mm main gun and anti-tank missiles.

 Command versions of the FICV should be capable of carrying drones for surveillance and also suicide
strike missions (known as 'loitering munitions').

 New systems like loitering munitions and mini-UAV for targeting and battlefield awareness

The main Indian contenders are The Ordnance Factory Board (OFB), BEML, Mahindra Defence, Ashok
Leyland, Larsen and Toubro, Reliance, Bharat Forge and others. DRDO has also developed an FICV platform
called Abhay.
 

WolfPack86

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Defence Expo 2022: Top 5 Weapon Systems | FICV | Light Tank | WhAP | Vajra | Part-2/2 | in English
 

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The FICV, while retaining its amphibious capability, looks for high protection levels in the frontal arc at STANAG 5 against 25mm APDS, which can be upgraded to STANAG 6 against 30mm APFSDS, with removable armour panels. It also lays down STANAG 4, against 14.5mm AP, on the sides & top as also STANAG 3B, 8kg mine explosive under belly. It also challenges the designer to produce 30HP/Ton criteria while remaining amphibious, especially with add-on armour.
 

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1750 Next Generation FICV for Indian Army | भारतीय सेना के लिए 1750 अगली पीढ़ी का एफआईसीवी
 

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View: The 'Make in India' Futuristic Infantry Combat Vehicle is once again on the horizon
The Request for Information (RFI), for approximately 1750 Tracked Futuristic Infantry Combat Vehicles (FICV), to replace the BMP-2 has been issued on June 24, 2021. The RFI comes in the wake of 1770 Future Ready Combat Vehicle (FRCV) which would replace the existing T-72 tank in a phased manner, and the 350 light tanks. Earlier, in November 2019, the RFI for 198 Wheeled Armoured Fighting Vehicles (AFVs) had been issued. All these RFIs, issued so far for big ticket procurement, support the realisation of ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’.

The FICV has been on the procurement anvil since the Acceptance of Necessity was issued out in October 2009. It saw two Expression of Interests in the Make/Make-1 category, change to the Make-2 category, and has now finally fructified in a new RFI in the Buy & Make or Buy (Indian-IDDM) category. Major Indian Industry leading houses, along with their foreign partners, had already put in design & development efforts towards the earlier cases and will look forward to this case moving on.

The RFI looks for three versions, 55% Gun, 20% Command and 25% Command & Surveillance, with design modularity, enabling development of a family of supporting AFVs in varying roles. Most encouragingly, it also addresses rapidly changing technology by having a three-stage production model, thereby ensuring the ICV modernisation keeps pace with the evolving technologies in the World.

Initially, 150-200 number in Limited Series Production (LSP) would be provided over two years, commencing two years from order; followed by 600-700 improved FICVs based on experience of in-service exploitation of the LSP model, over next 6-7 years; and finally, the balance, commencing after approximately 8-9 years, incorporating the improved technologies that would have come about World over.

The FICV, while retaining its amphibious capability, looks for high protection levels in the frontal arc at STANAG 5 against 25mm APDS, which can be upgraded to STANAG 6 against 30mm APFSDS, with removable armour panels. It also lays down STANAG 4, against 14.5mm AP, on the sides & top as also STANAG 3B, 8kg mine explosive under belly. It also challenges the designer to produce 30HP/Ton criteria while remaining amphibious, especially with add-on armour.

The protection systems incorporate both the warning system, when lased by an adversary with autonomous discharge of anti-laser smoke and the Active Protection System which detects and intercepts an incoming projectile threat. World over, the famous protection systems are the battle proven Israeli Trophy fitted on the Merkava and now also on the US M1A1 Abraham, and the Russian Arena/Afganit fitted on the T-90/ARMATA-14 MBT, respectively. Interestingly, the RFI envisages protection by these means
also against kinetic energy projectile, while not giving the velocities of the incoming projectile. This system also caters for anti-drone/swarm attack, the new threat in the battlefield.

The FICV is intended to have a wireless third-generation Anti-tank guided missile having dual mode seekers with ranges of 4Km and fire & update capability, interchangeable warheads, a main gun firing a variety of ammunition configuration to take on soft, hard targets and aircrafts at ranges between 2 to 4 Km. It also queries the designer on the feasibility of upgrading the calibre of the main gun without change in the turret, fire control systems and sights. A remotely controlled Automatic G
renade Launcher system, to take on a group target, interchangeable with a 12.7 Machine Gun or a directed energy weapon when developed, have been included.

The RFI also incorporates futuristic technology, in its configuration, by envisaging fusion image for its sighting systems, a fully integrated computerised fire control system with Artificial Intelligence assist, enabling the commander and gunner with a 360-degree situational awareness system, target and environmental statistics, weapon selection and delivery. While including head/helmet mounted display systems the requirement is also for fully interchangeable commander and gunner battle station
. Weapon enabled pop-up panoramic sights have been included. It queries on the feasibility of crew-less turret and blast attenuating cushion shock absorber seats, thus enhancing crew & stick survivability. The Battle-field Management System (BMS) provides a picture with friend and foe identification and location fixes. All on one sight picture fully integrated.

New systems like loitering munitions and mini-UAV for targeting and battlefield awareness, have been included. Interestingly, the range of both the loitering munition and mini-UAV have been kept at 10Km with flight time of 60 mins. The RFI should look at greater ranges for the mini-UAV considering the Area of Interest of a Combat Group and Combat Team commander as compared to the Area of Influence.

The RFI states the tracked FICVs will be employed in temperature conditions from -20 to +45 degrees, across all terrain conditions from deserts, plains, mountains to High altitude up to 5000m. This is going to be a tall order for the designer, considering all the technologies being incorporated and achievable power to weight ratios. Maybe, it is time we looked at compatible variants, designed for sectorial role, maximising effectiveness of systems.

The RFI also queries on the Vendors willingness for a Comprehensive Annual Maintenance Contract. This is a refreshing change and in consonance with the reduction of the maintenance manpower and infrastructure in the Army.

Incidentally, the Indian Army has also gone in for procurement of the Idea Forge mini-UAV, loitering munition case is on-going, the Spike third generation missile has been inducted for the infantry which has been upgraded now to 4-5km range by Rafael. The BMS has unsuccessfully been under development for long and there cannot be different BMS with each type of equipment. An Expression of Interest for AFV Counter Measure & Protection systems has also been issued.
There is also a separate RFI for a wheeled APC, FRCV and light tank to add to the fleet of Arjun, T-72, T-90, BMP-2. While a variety of equipment and weapon systems has its challenges in terms of maintenance and serviceability, the Indian Army would be very much alive to the problem while orchestrating the timelines of development and induction. Indigenous sources for procurement of equipment, with or without foreign technological collaborations, is the way forward to ensure a more homogeneous
mix of defence platforms.
 

WolfPack86

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AVNL proposes infantry combat vehicle for Indian Army
India's state-run Armoured Vehicles Nigam Limited (AVNL) has proposed a Futuristic Infantry Combat Vehicle (FICV) for the Indian Army, the company confirmed with Janes.

Janes
learnt that the company is planning to showcase its FICV prototype at India's Defence Expo 2024.

Anurag Kumar Sharma, general manager of AVNL, told Janes that the FICV – designed and developed by the company – would not be based on a Russian BMP (Boyevaya Mashina Pyekhoty) or any existing infantry combat vehicle (ICV).

According to Sharma, the BMP's design was based on three key factors – mobility, firepower, and protection. “The FICV's design idea, however, adds a fourth factor – crew comfort,” Sharma said.

“AVNL's FICV will have a 600 hp engine with an automatic transmission, whereas the BMP is equipped with a 300 hp engine and a manual transmission,” Sharma added.

In addition to a 30 mm cannon and a 7.62 mm co-axial gun, the FICV will be fitted with a loitering munition (LM) system, a remote-controlled weapon station (RCWS), a fifth-generation anti-tank guided missile (ATGM) system, and a 30 mm automated grenade launcher, Sharma said.

The BMP offers standardisation agreement (STANAG) level two protection, whereas the FICV will offer protection up to STANAG level four and will be equipped with a laser warning system and active protection system, he added.

“[The] FICV will be air-conditioned with blast-attenuating seats and improved suspension. The FICV will be equipped with a new hull, and it will weigh 23 tonne, with a seating capacity of 11,” Sharma added.

In June 2021, the Indian Army issued a request for information (RFI) on the planned procurement of 1,750 units of indigenously developed, amphibious tracked FICVs.
 

WolfPack86

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FICV developed by OFB Medak

The RFI issued by the Indian Army specifies that it intends to procure up to 1,750 FICVs in three versions.
The three versions are a 'gun version', a command version and a command and surveillance version. The
'gun version', which is primarily meant for combat operations, will constitute the bulk of the intended order
quantity (55 per cent). Command versions of infantry combat vehicles are used by battlefield commanders
to direct operations and correspond with superiors.
Broad Operational Requirements laid down in the RFI
 FICV will have amphibious capability in terms of mobility
 FICV will have high protection levels in the frontal arc at STANAG 5 against 25mm APDS, which can be

upgraded to STANAG 6 against 30mm APFSDS, with removable armour panels. It also lays down STANAG
4, against 14.5mm AP, on the sides & top as also STANAG 3B, 8kg mine explosive under belly.
 FICV should have a power to weight ratio of 30HP/Ton
 the gun version of the FICV should be capable of housing a crew of three and carrying at least eight
soldiers, the remaining two variants should have a crew of three and should carry four soldiers.

 FICV should be equipped with at least a 30mm main gun and anti-tank missiles.

 Command versions of the FICV should be capable of carrying drones for surveillance and also suicide
strike missions (known as 'loitering munitions').

 New systems like loitering munitions and mini-UAV for targeting and battlefield awareness

New systems like loitering munitions and mini-UAV for targeting and battlefield awareness

The main Indian contenders are The Ordnance Factory Board (OFB), BEML, Mahindra Defence, Ashok
Leyland, Larsen and Toubro, Reliance, Bharat Forge and others. DRDO has also developed an FICV platform
called Abhay.
 

WolfPack86

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Indian Army issues AoN for procurement of FICV
AoN for procurement of Futuristic Infantry Combat Vehicle


On 31st Jan 2023, Indian Army has released AoN for procurement of “Futuristic Infantry Combat Vehicle (Tracked)” ie “FICV(Tr)” for Mechanised Infantry Arm of the Indian Army. The FICV should be tracked, amphibious, Manned turret (un-manned turret as EPP) with FCS, fire & forget top-attack ATGMs, automatic cannon of at least 30 mm calibre, coaxial machine gun and a stabilised RCWS with 12.7mm machine gun. The FICV should feature Modern protection measures including Active Protection System and Laser Warning & Protection Measures. It should be able to carry a crew of three and eight soldiers. The Prototype for “FICV(Tr)” to be developed within 36 months from completion of TEC. Commercial Bids to be submitted before commencement of Trials. The orders will be splitted in ratio of 60:40 between L1 and L2 vendors provided L-2 vendor accepts the price and Terms & conditions quoted by L-1 Vendor.

L&T FICV

DRDO & L&T is also working on developing an ICV whose model was unveiled during the DefExpo 2022 which seems to be the front runner for Indian Army’s FICV requirement. The FICV hull looks similar to very similarly to Abhay ICV however there has been significant changes made to it.

Research & Development Establishment(Engineers) Pune a lab of DRDO has developed a composites armoured hull for infantry Combat Vehicle (IC) which matches the structural and ballistic performance of metallic hull with 35% weight reduction. The hull comprises of monocoque top and bottom parts manufactured in E-glass-epoxy using Vacuum Assisted Resin Transfer Moulding (VARTM) process.

Side walls of the hull are provided with ceramic-composites armour for protection against 14.5mm Armour Piercing rounds. This hull has been integrated with automotive aggregates and associated vetronies.

The composites hull developed as replacement for métallic hull of IC Abhay Matches structural and ballistic performance with metallic counterpart. It is 35% lighter than its metallic counterpart. E-glass-epoxy structure with ceramic faced integral armour on sides for ballistic protection. Each top and bottom parts are monocoque structures. The ICV has minimized part count.

The major feature of the L&T’s FICV is going to be an unmanned modular turret made up of composite armour which drastically reduce its weight and can be upgraded in future if needed. It will feature 30mm main gun with 200 rounds ready to fire and a coaxial 7.62 Machine gun with 1000 rounds ready to fire. It will also has two launchers for 5th generation fire and forget Anti-Tank missiles. The FICV will also have 6 smoke grenade launchers. It will feature 3rd generation Thermal Imaging stabilized sight with Laser range finder. The remotely controlled weapon system will feature advance Integrated Fire control system for all the weapons. The vehicle will have STANAG Level 4 protection.

FICV by AVNL

Janes has reported that Armoured Vehicles Nigam Limited (AVNL) has also proposed an FICV which is a new design and not based on Russian BMP-2. The vehicle will feature a Remote-controlled weapon stations with a 30mm main gun, 7.62mm coaxial machine gun, a fifth-generation anti-tank guided missile (ATGM) system, a 30 mm automated grenade launcher, driver’s night sight, commander’s panoramic sight and can even launch loitering munition. It will be powered by a 600hp engine with automatic transmission and will have an overall weight of 23 tons. The FICV will be able to carry 11 men. The FICV will offer protection up to STANAG level 4 and will be equipped with a laser warning system and active protection system. The FICV will be air-conditioned with blast-attenuating seats and improved suspension. The FICV will be equipped with a new hull, and it will weigh 23 tonne.

Other contenders

Tata motor led consortium has also proposed tracked FICV. Tata has also offered a 8X8 wheeled FICV based on WhAP platform, however this does not fit into the RFI as it clearly states the requirement of a tracked ICV. Other contenders include BEML, Mahindra Group, Ashok Leyland, Reliance and Bharat Forge.
 

WolfPack86

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India clears acquisition of Futuristic Infantry Combat Vehicle
India's Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, has approved the procurement of the Futuristic Infantry Combat Vehicle (FICV) for the Indian Army.

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) said in a statement that the procurement, approved through the provision of an ‘Acceptance of Necessity' (AoN) status under the ‘Buy (Indian)' category, includes the tracked version of the FICV for the Mechanised Infantry Regiment of the Indian Army.

The MoD added that the FICV should be amphibious and equip a manned turret with the future combat system (FCS), and fire-and-forget top-attack anti-tank guided missiles (ATGMs).

The FICV must be inducted with an automatic cannon of at least 30 mm calibre, a co-axial machine gun, and a stabilised remote control weapon station (RCWS) with a 12.7 mm machine gun.

The FICV must be equipped with active protection and laser warning systems, and it must have a carrying capacity of 11 soldiers.

In June 2021, the Indian Army issued a request for information (RFI) on the planned procurement of 1,750 units of indigenously developed, amphibious, tracked FICVs.

The issuance of the RFI marked the Indian Army's third attempt since 2008 to acquire FICVs to replace the service's ageing fleet of Soviet Union-era BMP-1 and BMP-2 infantry combat vehicles (ICVs), Janes reported at the time.

India's state-run Armoured Vehicles Nigam Limited (AVNL), and private-sector companies such as Mahindra Defence Systems, Larsen & Toubro (L&T), and Tata Motors are developing FICV prototypes for the Indian Army and are likely to take part in the FICV bidding process.
 

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