Army's armoured thrust: Order placed for 250 mine proof vehicles to tackle terrorists
At a time when the armed forces along the borders and those tasked with internal security are at a high level of alert against terrorist strikes, comes a big boost. The Indian Army has, in one of the biggest ever orders placed, asked for about 250 Mine Protected Vehicles (MPVs). These vehicles, routinely spotted on the streets and highways of Jammu and Kashmir and states in North Eastern (NE) India, secure troops from Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) explosions and gunfire.
These MPVs, which can carry upto a dozen fully armed personnel, also have a provision for gun sights in bullet proof glass from where troops can take on targets outside. There is also a provision to install a rotating heavier gun on top of the vehicle.
Those operating MPVs say it helps them move cross-country across most terrain even while taking fire and hitting back at terrorists. A Bullet Proof (BP) bunker or BP vehicle has limits on mobility and security it can offer, when seen against an MPV.
DELIVERY BY 2018
From sources in the army and the Ministry of Defence (MoD), it was learnt that 'indent' or an order for acquisition had recently been placed with the Vehicle Factory Jabalpur (VFJ), which comes under the Ordnance Factory Board of the MoD. The delivery of these MPVs will begin by 2018. The army will use these vehicles in NE states apart from Jammu and Kashmir.
In Jammu and Kashmir, which is witnessing an escalation of violence and terror attacks, intelligence inputs indicate a presence of 409 terrorists of which 315 are operating in the Kashmir region and the rest in Jammu. Instances of mine/IED blasts in the state have significantly reduced on account of better roads and detection by security agencies. However, terrorist strikes have forced the army and Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) deployed there to respond with MPVs.
The army and CAPFs have been using 'Casspir' MPV manufactured by the VFJ. The army, which was the first to use MPVs began doing so since the early 90s when it was tasked with tackling the first bout of insurgency in the Kashmir Valley.
UPGRADING FLEET
Said a senior officer aware of the case, "While we are looking at replacing our existing fleet which is ageing, there will also be an enhancement of numbers. We have found these MPVs to be extremely useful. The ones we will now procure are the upgraded ones and have been finalised after several rounds of testing." For security reasons, the specifications pertaining to these MPVs were not shared. It was however, learnt that the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)'s Vehicle Research and Development Establishment (VRDE) too was roped in for the project which will be handled by the army's Master General Ordnance branch. It was learnt that the VFJ has agreed to ramp up production to deliver 70 vehicles per year.
While private sector companies which are also manufacturing MPVs were considered, the army ultimately went in with the VFJ.
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) under whom all the CAPFs function is also looking to equip the forces with MPVs. The process, however, has been bogged down on account of poor decision-making. The requirement of MPVs for the CAPFs is nearly 400 'at the very least'. The MPVs are required in states affected by Maoist insurgency as the insurgents have chosen the IEDs as their preferred weapon.
The OFB has developed a next generation MPV called the Modern Mine Protected Vehicle. The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) has placed an order for twenty MPVs.
At a time when the armed forces along the borders and those tasked with internal security are at a high level of alert against terrorist strikes, comes a big boost. The Indian Army has, in one of the biggest ever orders placed, asked for about 250 Mine Protected Vehicles (MPVs).
www.indiatoday.in
