The two ambitious projects to equip the Army with futuristic combat vehicles are a game changer for the Indian industry, a senior Army officer said on Wednesday.
“The Futuristic Infantry Combat vehicle (FICV) and Future Ready Combat Vehicle (FRCV) programmes are going to be the biggest game changers for the Indian defence industry ecosystem… Sometimes big ticket items take little more time but they do not fall. I am confident that very shortly you will hear the FICV going into the next level,” said Lt. Gen. AB Shivane, Director General Mechanized Forces while addressing a seminar on armoured vehicles organised by the Centre for Joint Warfare Studies.
The FICV is an ambitious effort to indigenously design and manufacture a futuristic infantry vehicle by the private industry by roping in foreign Original Equipment Manufacturers.
The Army has a requirement for more than 2,600 vehicles.
On the other hand, the FRCV is a tender for the procurement of futuristic tanks through the Strategic Partnership model. Last week, the Army had issued the Request For Information (RFI) for 1,771 tanks. Lt. Gen. Shivane said the FRCV would replace the Russian T-72 tanks presently in service.
Speaking at the seminar, Army Chief Gen. Bipin Rawat said the Army was passing through an important phase in equipment management.
Arjun tanks to continue
Rejecting reports that the FRCV programme would “scuttle” the indigenous Arjun tank, Lt. Gen. Shivane said the service had already inducted the Arjun Mk-1 tanks.
