WolfPack86
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Ordinance Factory Medak - India's Ammunition Powerhouse | Patriot With Major Gaurav Arya (Rted)
Indian Army Armored Vehicles
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WolfPack86
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This Indian Combat Vehicle Impressed No One
A minor surprise that preceded DEFEXPO 2020, which is India’s largest biennial arms show, was the Ordnance Factory Board’s (OFB) reveal for its Future Infantry Combat Vehicle (FICV) to meet the Indian Army’s requirement. The OFB shared a video clip on its social media channels highlighting the FICV’s features. These span an enlarged hull equipped with hydrojet propellers that allow it to swim across bodies of water. The turret is armed with a 30mm cannon and a 7.62mm coaxial machine gun. A rectangular module on the turret’s side is supposed to carry two anti-tank missiles.
It’s obvious the appearance of the FICV prototype developed by OFB Medak is based on the BMP-2, which has been under licensed production since the 1980s and designated the Sarath, but with significance changes. The hull of the FICV is lengthened and carried by seven road wheels on each side. The road wheels and their tracks, by the way, are the same as those on a BMP-2. The inclusion of side skirts and the choice for main armament recall the BMP-2 as well. The Indian Army maintains over 2,000 Sarath and the OFB used its hull as the basis for other tracked vehicles such as an anti-tank missile carrier and numerous prototypes over the years.
But the video clip of this new FICV exposed a little too much. A segment that emphasized the 30mm 2A42 cannon revealed the driver’s hatch was poorly fitted and askew–suggesting the FICV in its current incarnation is a mere prototype. The twin propellers at the back of the vehicle retained their silver finish, meaning they haven’t been painted to match the vehicle’s color scheme. There are problems with the turret’ layout too. Foremost are the empty module for anti-tank missiles. The Indian Army still hasn’t fielded a next-generation ATGM developed by the DRDO. This means it’s unclear if the FICV is meant to carry the Russian Konkurs, which are locally made by another Indian state-owned manufacturer, or a local equivalent at some point. Concealing the launcher in a compartment at the back of the turret, rather than attache don the side, is a practical alternative among IFVs today such as the German-made Lynx and the UK/Swedish CV-90.
The choice of a 2A42 cannon is also suspect when the OFB claims its latest effort boasts unmatched firepower. The Indian Army must consider alternatives to its existing 30mm cannon since Russia and the USA have developed 57mm and 50mm cannon, respectively, for their existing infantry fighting vehicles. With the Indian Army engaged in a long-term rivalry with China, whose armored vehicle technology now surpasses what NATO has, it can’t afford to be outgunned when the PLA have 30mm and 100mm calibers at their disposal. There needs to be improvements on the FICV’s weapon suite as its development process moves forward. If not, the Indian Army along with the defense ministry may opt for another deal with Russia to upgrade the existing Sarath and enhance its firepower.
Another drawback is the choice of fire control system and its accompanying optics. Only a single pivoting thermal sight is mounted on the turret while similar vehicles have these installed by twos. In other tracked infantry vehicles, the gunner’s sight is often fitted near the main armament while the commander has a pivoting sight on the turret roof. The past decade saw a resurgence in tracked fighting vehicles that maximize firepower, internal capacity, and protection. The the FICV looks like it lags behind in each category. The OFB claims the FICV’s protection level reaches STANAG IV, or able to resist armor piercing small arms ammunition, but how the armor is distributed isn’t explained. Going by the new infantry fighting vehicles from Russia and Israel, for example, the Kurganets-25 and the Namer are encased in modular add-on panels and have thick sideskirts concealing their tracks. Not the FICV, though.
Even in the face of the army’s preference for importing expensive weapon systems, the FICV can prove successful in the medium-term. OFB Medak’s capacity and expertise are beyond doubt and there are numerous roles waiting for an FICV that enters mass-production.
21stcenturyasianarmsrace.com
.
A minor surprise that preceded DEFEXPO 2020, which is India’s largest biennial arms show, was the Ordnance Factory Board’s (OFB) reveal for its Future Infantry Combat Vehicle (FICV) to meet the Indian Army’s requirement. The OFB shared a video clip on its social media channels highlighting the FICV’s features. These span an enlarged hull equipped with hydrojet propellers that allow it to swim across bodies of water. The turret is armed with a 30mm cannon and a 7.62mm coaxial machine gun. A rectangular module on the turret’s side is supposed to carry two anti-tank missiles.
It’s obvious the appearance of the FICV prototype developed by OFB Medak is based on the BMP-2, which has been under licensed production since the 1980s and designated the Sarath, but with significance changes. The hull of the FICV is lengthened and carried by seven road wheels on each side. The road wheels and their tracks, by the way, are the same as those on a BMP-2. The inclusion of side skirts and the choice for main armament recall the BMP-2 as well. The Indian Army maintains over 2,000 Sarath and the OFB used its hull as the basis for other tracked vehicles such as an anti-tank missile carrier and numerous prototypes over the years.
But the video clip of this new FICV exposed a little too much. A segment that emphasized the 30mm 2A42 cannon revealed the driver’s hatch was poorly fitted and askew–suggesting the FICV in its current incarnation is a mere prototype. The twin propellers at the back of the vehicle retained their silver finish, meaning they haven’t been painted to match the vehicle’s color scheme. There are problems with the turret’ layout too. Foremost are the empty module for anti-tank missiles. The Indian Army still hasn’t fielded a next-generation ATGM developed by the DRDO. This means it’s unclear if the FICV is meant to carry the Russian Konkurs, which are locally made by another Indian state-owned manufacturer, or a local equivalent at some point. Concealing the launcher in a compartment at the back of the turret, rather than attache don the side, is a practical alternative among IFVs today such as the German-made Lynx and the UK/Swedish CV-90.
The choice of a 2A42 cannon is also suspect when the OFB claims its latest effort boasts unmatched firepower. The Indian Army must consider alternatives to its existing 30mm cannon since Russia and the USA have developed 57mm and 50mm cannon, respectively, for their existing infantry fighting vehicles. With the Indian Army engaged in a long-term rivalry with China, whose armored vehicle technology now surpasses what NATO has, it can’t afford to be outgunned when the PLA have 30mm and 100mm calibers at their disposal. There needs to be improvements on the FICV’s weapon suite as its development process moves forward. If not, the Indian Army along with the defense ministry may opt for another deal with Russia to upgrade the existing Sarath and enhance its firepower.
Another drawback is the choice of fire control system and its accompanying optics. Only a single pivoting thermal sight is mounted on the turret while similar vehicles have these installed by twos. In other tracked infantry vehicles, the gunner’s sight is often fitted near the main armament while the commander has a pivoting sight on the turret roof. The past decade saw a resurgence in tracked fighting vehicles that maximize firepower, internal capacity, and protection. The the FICV looks like it lags behind in each category. The OFB claims the FICV’s protection level reaches STANAG IV, or able to resist armor piercing small arms ammunition, but how the armor is distributed isn’t explained. Going by the new infantry fighting vehicles from Russia and Israel, for example, the Kurganets-25 and the Namer are encased in modular add-on panels and have thick sideskirts concealing their tracks. Not the FICV, though.
Even in the face of the army’s preference for importing expensive weapon systems, the FICV can prove successful in the medium-term. OFB Medak’s capacity and expertise are beyond doubt and there are numerous roles waiting for an FICV that enters mass-production.
This Indian Combat Vehicle Impressed No One
A minor surprise that preceded DEFEXPO 2020, which is India’s largest biennial arms show, was the Ordnance Factory Board’s (OFB) reveal for its Future Infantry Combat Vehicle (FICV) to …
21stcenturyasianarmsrace.com
WolfPack86
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Future of Indian Army - TATA Futuristic Infantry Combat Vehicle (FICV)
WolfPack86
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Here's a photo of the upgraded BMP-2/2K which is entering production in Ordnance Factory Medak on account of a recent order by the Indian Army for 156 units of this type. Courtesy: OFB
WolfPack86
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Make in India: BMP 2 vehicles for the Indian Army to be made at of Medak OF
With the Futuristic Infantry Combat Vehicle (FICV) project being pushed to the backburner, the Ministry of Defence has cleared the proposal for procurement of 156 BMP 2 Infantry Vehicles for the Indian Army. The whole project of 156 BMP Vehicles is going to be roughly for Rs 1100 crore.
Confirming this to Financial Express Online, Dr Uddipan Mukherjee Joint Director and PRO, OFB, said, “These 156 BMP Vehicles are going to be manufactured by the Ordnance Factory Medak, which is under Ordnance Factory Board.”
In 2018, the plan was to involve the private sector companies in the upgrading of the fleet of infantry combat vehicles in which top companies including Tata and Mahindras were expected to participate in the bidding process.
The whole contract for modernizing around 1600 in service BMP2 armoured vehicles was to be done in two rounds and around 640 Soviet Origin Vehicles were to go to the private sector and depending on how the project moved the decision for the balance was expected to be taken. However, in the background, the Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) was trying hard to get the balance of the BMP 2 vehicles.
What had the Indian Army proposed earlier?
A comprehensive up-gradation of BMP 2 armoured vehicles.
These vehicles are to be modernised with control systems.
To have Kornet E anti-tank missiles and third-generation night vision capability.
These vehicles have the capability to be deployed in various roles. Besides the offensive combat mission, they can be used as an armoured ambulance or an amphibious dozer.
These BMP 2 Vehicles have been renamed as ‘Sarath’ and are the mainstay of the mechanised infantry.
Over a period of time BMP platform has been used to develop a number of variants such as Armoured Engineer Recce Vehicles, Armoured Amphibious Dozers, Armoured Ambulance, Armoured Vehicle Tracked Light Repair, Missile and Mortar Carriers, NBC Recce Vehicles etc.
Expert View
“Infantry Combat Vehicle BMP2 is an extremely potent and formidable weapon platform that equips Indian Army’s Mechanised Infantry battalions,” says Brig N Bhatia, an Indian Army veteran.
Sharing a bit of the background of these vehicles, Bhatia says, “The Infantry was initially equipped with Armoured Personnel Carriers that were meant to transport it into the battlefield to keep the pace with fast-paced armoured formations. This was the birth of Battle Taxi concept where infantry was merely being moved in armoured carriers providing it limited protection from enemy weapons.”
“However the concept of Battle Taxi underwent a complete change with the introduction of Russian made BMP 1 transforming it into an Infantry Combat Vehicle (ICV) enabling Infantry to fight a mounted battle using its small arms from the safety of armoured protection with enhanced weapons mounted on the vehicle,” says the former officer who was first commissioned in the Mechanised Infantry.
This changed the entire concept of modern battlefield necessitating the creation of specialised Mechanised Infantry battalions in Indian Army.
“Originally sourced from erstwhile Soviet Union, an upgraded BMP went into indigenous production by setting up manufacturing facilities for BMP 2 series of ICV at Medak, now in Telangana with Russian collaboration. It is now produced with almost indigenously sourced material. It has been rechristened “Sarath” to give it an indigenous name.”
According to Bhatia, “Over last more than four decades the employment of Mechanised Infantry, equipped with BMP 2 has evolved due to its being a very versatile weapons platform. It’s light weight makes it suitable for high-speed manoeuvres, quick deployment through air transportation and its ability to float through rivers and canal networks.”
“A need is being felt to further modernise the BMP 2 under Modernised Infantry Combat Vehicle (MICV) project but this has met with little success. Overall BMP 2 will remain the mainstay of Mechanised Infantry units in the foreseeable future,” he opines.
With the Futuristic Infantry Combat Vehicle (FICV) project being pushed to the backburner, the Ministry of Defence has cleared the proposal for procurement of 156 BMP 2 Infantry Vehicles for the Indian Army. The whole project of 156 BMP Vehicles is going to be roughly for Rs 1100 crore.
Confirming this to Financial Express Online, Dr Uddipan Mukherjee Joint Director and PRO, OFB, said, “These 156 BMP Vehicles are going to be manufactured by the Ordnance Factory Medak, which is under Ordnance Factory Board.”
In 2018, the plan was to involve the private sector companies in the upgrading of the fleet of infantry combat vehicles in which top companies including Tata and Mahindras were expected to participate in the bidding process.
The whole contract for modernizing around 1600 in service BMP2 armoured vehicles was to be done in two rounds and around 640 Soviet Origin Vehicles were to go to the private sector and depending on how the project moved the decision for the balance was expected to be taken. However, in the background, the Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) was trying hard to get the balance of the BMP 2 vehicles.
What had the Indian Army proposed earlier?
A comprehensive up-gradation of BMP 2 armoured vehicles.
These vehicles are to be modernised with control systems.
To have Kornet E anti-tank missiles and third-generation night vision capability.
These vehicles have the capability to be deployed in various roles. Besides the offensive combat mission, they can be used as an armoured ambulance or an amphibious dozer.
These BMP 2 Vehicles have been renamed as ‘Sarath’ and are the mainstay of the mechanised infantry.
Over a period of time BMP platform has been used to develop a number of variants such as Armoured Engineer Recce Vehicles, Armoured Amphibious Dozers, Armoured Ambulance, Armoured Vehicle Tracked Light Repair, Missile and Mortar Carriers, NBC Recce Vehicles etc.
Expert View
“Infantry Combat Vehicle BMP2 is an extremely potent and formidable weapon platform that equips Indian Army’s Mechanised Infantry battalions,” says Brig N Bhatia, an Indian Army veteran.
Sharing a bit of the background of these vehicles, Bhatia says, “The Infantry was initially equipped with Armoured Personnel Carriers that were meant to transport it into the battlefield to keep the pace with fast-paced armoured formations. This was the birth of Battle Taxi concept where infantry was merely being moved in armoured carriers providing it limited protection from enemy weapons.”
“However the concept of Battle Taxi underwent a complete change with the introduction of Russian made BMP 1 transforming it into an Infantry Combat Vehicle (ICV) enabling Infantry to fight a mounted battle using its small arms from the safety of armoured protection with enhanced weapons mounted on the vehicle,” says the former officer who was first commissioned in the Mechanised Infantry.
This changed the entire concept of modern battlefield necessitating the creation of specialised Mechanised Infantry battalions in Indian Army.
“Originally sourced from erstwhile Soviet Union, an upgraded BMP went into indigenous production by setting up manufacturing facilities for BMP 2 series of ICV at Medak, now in Telangana with Russian collaboration. It is now produced with almost indigenously sourced material. It has been rechristened “Sarath” to give it an indigenous name.”
According to Bhatia, “Over last more than four decades the employment of Mechanised Infantry, equipped with BMP 2 has evolved due to its being a very versatile weapons platform. It’s light weight makes it suitable for high-speed manoeuvres, quick deployment through air transportation and its ability to float through rivers and canal networks.”
“A need is being felt to further modernise the BMP 2 under Modernised Infantry Combat Vehicle (MICV) project but this has met with little success. Overall BMP 2 will remain the mainstay of Mechanised Infantry units in the foreseeable future,” he opines.
WolfPack86
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The DAC on July 2, 2020 approved BMP-2 Armament Upgrade for the IA. The upgrade wasn't listed among indigenously developed weapon systems so it could be the kit based Russian Berezhok upgrade that can be implemented at low cost and in short time.
The recent DAC approval was likely connected with the ongoing crises along the LAC. During DefExpo 2020, OFB exhibited an upgraded BMP-2 that lacked the punch of the Berezhok (below).
The upgrade, which requires minimal modifications of the tower, equips the BMP-2 with 3rd gen Kornet-E ATGM, 30-mm automatic grenade launcher (AG) AH-30, automatic target tracking and ballistic computer with the sensor system, and a television Panoramic sight for the commander.
Russia first pitched the Berezhok upgrade to India during DefExpo 2014. The DAC on July 8, 2017 nominated OFB and BEL to carry out (Make-in-India) midlife upgrade of 693 Russian-made BMP-II infantry combat vehicles. However, the total number of BMP-2s in service is around 1900.
The recent DAC approval was likely connected with the ongoing crises along the LAC. During DefExpo 2020, OFB exhibited an upgraded BMP-2 that lacked the punch of the Berezhok (below).
The upgrade, which requires minimal modifications of the tower, equips the BMP-2 with 3rd gen Kornet-E ATGM, 30-mm automatic grenade launcher (AG) AH-30, automatic target tracking and ballistic computer with the sensor system, and a television Panoramic sight for the commander.
Russia first pitched the Berezhok upgrade to India during DefExpo 2014. The DAC on July 8, 2017 nominated OFB and BEL to carry out (Make-in-India) midlife upgrade of 693 Russian-made BMP-II infantry combat vehicles. However, the total number of BMP-2s in service is around 1900.
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Yes
WolfPack86
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Army to choose from Tata, American Stryker and Humvee for its armoured protection vehicle requirements
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USA is replacing its Humvees, what will we do? Instead Kalyani M4 should be purchased as Armoured car while Kestrel is good for FICVs.
WolfPack86
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Indian Defence Updates : Limited Stryker Lease,498 LUH Deal,HERON UAV Satellite Link,Army OFB Report
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Very old news
WolfPack86
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Firepower upgrade for BMP 2 M (English subtitles)
BlackViking
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I think it is Kalyani's Light MGS
Automatic Kalashnikov
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Karrier KT4 gun tractor of IA.
BlackViking
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what is this? Any source to read its operational history?
SUPERPOWER
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Indian army previously was better equipped...aaj ek better armoured carrier dekhne ke liye aanke taras gai hai..ja dekho qpsy, safari and bmps..i have lost all hopes..
WarriorIndian
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Thats baba kalyani, so it must be something from his stables or the paramount one.
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Do we have a thread for DRDO light tank?if not we should make one for it.DRDO has taken the light tank very seriously and I think it has a better chance of induction in indian army than arjun mk1a.
