The Indian Army's tender for an upgraded APC

BskrCrew

New Member
Hi everyone. Merry Christmas in advance! With the holiday season upon us, I was doing some ‘light reading’ about APC upgrades across various armies, and stumbled upon this 2019 article about the Indian Army looking for an articulated APC to replace the incumbent.

I can’t seem to find any further developments for this procurement, think any of our local products would make the cut? Do you think there are any political undertones in relation to this tender?

Below: Indian soldiers somewhere in the mountainous terrain of the Sino-Indian Border.
Capture-5.jpg
 

ngatimozart

Super Moderator
Staff member
Verified Defense Pro
Hi everyone. Merry Christmas in advance! With the holiday season upon us, I was doing some ‘light reading’ about APC upgrades across various armies, and stumbled upon this 2019 article about the Indian Army looking for an articulated APC to replace the incumbent.

I can’t seem to find any further developments for this procurement, think any of our local products would make the cut? Do you think there are any political undertones in relation to this tender?

Below: Indian soldiers somewhere in the mountainous terrain of the Sino-Indian Border.
View attachment 48741
Welcome to the exciting and mysterious world of Indian Defence Procurement where anything can and possibly will happen - eventually. It is indeed a mystery unto itself. I don't think you can take politics out of Indian Defence Procurement.

WRT the image. Can you please provide a link to the source for it. This is in order to comply with international copyright law.
 

BskrCrew

New Member
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #3
Welcome to the exciting and mysterious world of Indian Defence Procurement where anything can and possibly will happen - eventually. It is indeed a mystery unto itself. I don't think you can take politics out of Indian Defence Procurement.

WRT the image. Can you please provide a link to the source for it. This is in order to comply with international copyright law.
Yes, of course.
Image link: India Deploys Additional 50,000 Troops Along Border With China

I suppose politics will always have a role to play in Indian defence procurements, given how they're 2 immediate neighbours (Pakistan and the PRC) are rather belligerent. So if I had to guess, the Indians could be looking into land systems more than usual to try and conquer the perilous Himalayas. Hence their search for an articulated APC for quicker mobilisation of border forces to flashpoints across the mountains.
 

Ananda

The Bunker Group
Just realize that unlike some threads dedicated for a Nation Army, no thread that I found (at least for few years back) for Indian Army. Thus use this as more recent thread related to Indian Army (rather then create new one).

One of India land based defense industry call AVNL (Armoured Vehicles Nigam Limited), got contract to upgrade 693 BMP II in Indian Army Inventory.


AVNL shown stand up photos in their online media on the upgrade they are doing for BMP II.

FfQZpmsWIAAtMzx (1).jpg

The company claim that the upgrade also already aim not only to make BMP II relevance toward present battle condition, but also with what can be learn from BMP II performance during Ukrainian - Russia war. Thus despite talk on Defense Industry media on the need for India on new IFV, seems they are keeping their BMP II and mordernise them.

GIj01msWEAEwFHp.jpeg

If the upgrade work as advertised, this also can open to export market. Considering the number of BMP II users globally.

Note: Pictures from the company online media.
 
Last edited:

Feanor

Super Moderator
Staff member
Just realize that unlike some threads dedicated for a Nation Army, no thread that I found (at least for few years back) for Indian Army. Thus use this as more recent thread related to Indian Army (rather then create new one).

One of India land based defense industry call AVNL (Armoured Vehicles Nigam Limited), got contract to upgrade 693 BMP II in Indian Army Inventory.


AVNL shown stand up photos in their online media on the upgrade they are doing for BMP II.

View attachment 51215

The company claim that the upgrade also already aim not only to make BMP II relevance toward present battle condition, but also with what can be learn from BMP II performance during Ukrainian - Russia war. Thus despite talk on Defense Industry media on the need for India on new IFV, seems they are keeping their BMP II and mordernise them.

View attachment 51216

If the upgrade work as advertised, this also can open to export market. Considering the number of BMP II users globally.

Note: Pictures from the company online media.
The lack of extra armor is strange. One of the biggest issues the vehicle has is low protection levels. I'm also wondering if it wouldn't make sense to replace the turret with something non-penetrating to improve ergonomics for the passengers.
 

Ananda

The Bunker Group
Thelack of extra armor is strange. One of the biggest issues the vehicle has is low protection level
Perhaps the Indian doctrine on using those BMP II, bit different then what Russian and Ukrainian done? They emphasize the upgrades for better sensors and targeting, also with better ATGM and even Loitering Munitions. Perhaps they believe on indirect engagement through UAV, will be more heavy in future battle field?

Considering most likely India will face China or Pakistan (or even both of them simultaneously). With Pakistan being closer more with Chinese armament styles, considering China also even before Russian-Ukranian war already 'mastering' UAV heavy environment, perhaps that's Indian army planners envisage.
 

Big_Zucchini

Well-Known Member
Everything looks stuck together quite haphazardly. I seriously doubt this is anything more than a tech demonstration in the form exhibited.
Quite a few advanced and expensive electronics but no automotive improvement? Sus.
 
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