Indian Army Armored Vehicles

WolfPack86

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Army places emergency procurement order for Kalyani M4 armoured vehicles tested in Ladakh
New Delhi: The Army has ordered an emergency procurement of M4 armoured vehicles, which were tested in Ladakh during the standoff with China, from the Pune-based defence company Bharat Forge of the Kalyani group.

In a statement released Tuesday, the company said it had “received an order worth Rs 177.95 crores from the Indian Ministry of Defence for supply of Kalyani M4 vehicles”.

According to sources in the defence and security establishment, the emergency procurement is for a small number but they are looking to further increase the number of armoured vehicles in the Army’s inventory.

The sources added that the Army is in need of wheeled armoured vehicles that can transport troops faster and capable of operating in high altitude regions.

They noted that the Kalyani M4 comes with certain extra features than the regular vehicles, but refused to elaborate further on the details.

The vehicle had undergone trials in Ladakh, along with its competitors, in August 2020.

The contract was announced a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi stressed on the importance of private sector participation to develop India’s defence manufacturing base.

Features of Kalyani M4
The Kalyani M4, which will be built at the company’s Pune plant, is a multi-role platform, designed to meet the requirements of the armed forces for quick mobility in rough terrain and in areas affected by mine and IED threats.

It has ballistic and blast protection from up to 50 kg TNT side blast, or IED or roadside bombs due to its design that is built on a flat-floor monocoque hull. With a thrust speed of 140 km per hour, the vehicle has a payload of 2.3 tonnes and an operating range of about 800 km.

The M4 is an original product of the South African arms firm Paramount Group but has been fine-tuned for Indian conditions by Bharat Forge.

The two firms have also signed a deal to join their technologies, capabilities and expertise to manufacture armoured vehicles in India.

In a statement Monday, the Paramount Group said it wanted to position the M4 as the “future of protection” in all markets across the world.
 

samsaptaka

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Guys 2 questions -
1) 820 armoured vehicles - could this be Kestrel/Whap ?
2) Kalyani M4 - is this because of Kalyani group of companies who is doing ATAGS or simply the renamed name of Paramount vehicle ? Is Bharath Forge and Kalyani the same company ? Getting confused...
 

BlackViking

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Guys 2 questions -
1) 820 armoured vehicles - could this be Kestrel/Whap ?
2) Kalyani M4 - is this because of Kalyani group of companies who is doing ATAGS or simply the renamed name of Paramount vehicle ? Is Bharath Forge and Kalyani the same company ? Getting confused...
Kalyani Defense is a part of the larger Kalyani Conglomerate. Bharat Forge is the prime manufacturing industry of Kalyani Group and I think Kalyani Defence falls under Bharat Forge.
The Kalyani M4, as of now, is a Paramount product repackaged by Kalyani. Some localisation may be present (no info) or some addition/modification may be been introduced (no info).
The 820 armoured vehicle is also a mystery. If WhAP has been cleared then it is very good but no info of that also. Recently OFB Medak flagged off upgraded BMPs so the 820 can be existing armored vehicles like BMPs, Aditya MPVs, etc.
 

arkos

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Guys 2 questions -
1) 820 armoured vehicles - could this be Kestrel/Whap ?
I think this 800 number is for Army's requirement for Light Armored MultiPurpose Vehicles. This current order is emergency purchase and a larger order for M4's will come once clearance by CCS.
 

samsaptaka

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Kalyani Defense is a part of the larger Kalyani Conglomerate. Bharat Forge is the prime manufacturing industry of Kalyani Group and I think Kalyani Defence falls under Bharat Forge.
The Kalyani M4, as of now, is a Paramount product repackaged by Kalyani. Some localisation may be present (no info) or some addition/modification may be been introduced (no info).
The 820 armoured vehicle is also a mystery. If WhAP has been cleared then it is very good but no info of that also. Recently OFB Medak flagged off upgraded BMPs so the 820 can be existing armored vehicles like BMPs, Aditya MPVs, etc.
I think this 800 number is for Army's requirement for Light Armored MultiPurpose Vehicles. This current order is emergency purchase and a larger order for M4's will come once clearance by CCS.
Many thanks for clearing the confusion !
 

Maharaj samudragupt

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I think this 800 number is for Army's requirement for Light Armored MultiPurpose Vehicles. This current order is emergency purchase and a larger order for M4's will come once clearance by CCS.
Na 800 vehicles are upgraded bmp 2 with berezheok turret.
No number of kestrel , I could find.
 

Okabe Rintarou

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guys,are,we,inducting the kestrel in large nos we need 2000 to 3000 of these to back the bmp2 sarah . we,need at least 6000 ifv in future we,have half that many
Where did you get these numbers from? We have 50 Mechanized Infantry Battalions. At around 60 IFV per battalion, the total comes out to be 3000 IFV. Not sure how many of these are R&S battalions that would need NAMICA, Force Gurkha and maybe WhAP. Have you any news of Light Infantry Battalions being converted to Mechanized Infantry?
 

shuvo@y2k10

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guys,are,we,inducting the kestrel in large nos we need 2000 to 3000 of these to back the bmp2 sarah . we,need at least 6000 ifv in future we,have half that many
Unfortunately, kestrel is still in army trials. It has recently been trialled in ladakh, during standoff.

No news regarding any order. Though there is a RFI for 200 wheeled armoured vehicles. Here kestrel, striker and other foreign vehicles will compete.

Kestrel was never meant to replace bmp, it was ficv that was meant for that purpose. The ficv order was to be around 2600 vehicles.
 

WolfPack86

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Indian Army’s latest ride is the massive Kalyani M4
Indian Army has just ordered a new vehicle for their fleet. Bharat Forge says that they have received an order worth Rs. 177.95 Crores from the ministry of Defence for the supply of Kalyani M4. The Kalyani M4 is a vehicle that can perform multiple roles, it is designed to meet specific requirements of the Indian Army. It will be used by armed forces for going over rough terrain and in areas where there is a risk of mines and IED or improvised explosive devices.

The M4 is designed as a people carrier with a focus on high speed and quick mobility. People protection is also one of the core points that was in the mind when M4 was being developed. It can carry a maximum payload of 2.3 tonnes or a crew of 8 people. The vehicle weighs a massive 16 tons but has pretty decent off-roading angles. It has an approach angle of 43-degrees and an approach angle of 44-degrees. The M4 has a water fording depth of 900 mm.

The M4 has a width of 2,600 mm and a height of 2,450 mm. Moreover, it comes with independent suspension to tackle the toughest terrains. It can handle extreme temperatures. It can operate in extreme temperatures of -20 degrees to the extremely hot temperature of 50 degrees. M4 has a flat floor which makes it very easy to store stuff and it also helps the occupants to sit more comfortably.


There are two cabs in the vehicle. The front crew cab is where the driver sits. It gets two individual windscreens which offer a clear view of what is ahead. At the rear, there is a ramp so that the occupants can enter and exit the M4 very quickly. The glass is hardened so that it can withstand a sniper and anti-material rifle fire.

The M4 is powered by a turbocharged six-cylinder diesel engine that produces 465 hp of max power. However, it is the torque output that is mind-blowing. The M4 produces 1627 Nm of peak torque! These numbers are enough to make the M4 twice as powerful as any other vehicle that is being used by the Indian army. The engine comes mated to a CVT automatic gearbox which is used on flat surfaces but because M4 is a four-wheel-drive vehicle, it needs a shifter for the low-range gearbox. Because of this powerful engine, the M4 can hit a top speed of 140 kmph and has a fuel range of 800 km on a single tank.

There are three differential locks that are operated through the air. You must be thinking why through the air. Well, that is because electronically-locked differentials will not last as long as air operated differential locks because mechanical locks have more moving parts. Also, the electronic units are more expensive which increases the cost of the vehicle. Braking duties are handled by disc brakes with pneumatic actuation. It even comes with Anti-lock Braking System. M4 uses run-flat inserts for the tyres which means that the tyre will continue to function even if they are shot in a gunfight.
 

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