Indian army receives first batch of indigenous specialist vehicles

Asia-Pacific, News April 14, 2022 , by IRIA No Comments

The Indian Army received the first batch of indigenously developed specialist vehicles at a ceremony in Pune, India on April 12, 2022.

The army received Quick Reaction Fighting Vehicle Medium (QRFV), the Infantry Protected Mobility Vehicle (IPMV), and the Ultra-Long-Range Observation System, developed by Indian Aerospace and defense company Tata Advanced System Limited (TASL), as well as Monocoque Hull Multi-Role Mine-Protected Armored Vehicle produced by Bharat Forge.

The ceremony was attended by Indian Chief of Army Staff General Manoj Naravane and other senior military officials. During the induction ceremony, Indian military officers examined the vehicles to understand the operational capacity of the systems, while the company technicians briefed the army officials about the functions of the vehicles.

The delivery of specialist vehicles by TASL made it the first private-sector firm to manufacture and provide combat-ready armored vehicles to the Indian armed forces.

According to India’s Ministry of Defense official statement, the Chief of Army Staff General Manoj Naravane “appreciated TATA and Bharat Forge for their commitment to strengthening the ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative of the Government of India and continued engagement with the Indian Army for past decades.”

“The induction of these indigenously developed systems would greatly enhance the operational capabilities of the Indian Army in future conflicts,” the statement added.

*^{The Indian Army received the first batch of indigenously developed specialist vehicles at a ceremony in Pune, India on April 12, 2022. (Image Credit: Newsncr)}*

TASL Managing Director and CEO Sukaran Singh told the local news outlet, Times of India that under the emergency procurement policy, the company designed, developed, and manufactured nine IPMV vehicles for the Indian Army.

“This is a special armored protected vehicle and can carry infantry soldiers in all kinds of terrains, including in high-altitude regions of the Northern and Northern Eastern sectors. We have carried out extensive testing in all these regions and met the operational requirements of the force. We may deliver more such vehicles in the future,” Singh said.

According to a company official, TASL delivered 40 units to the Indian army, and the system is equipped with advanced tools and it is capable to perform effectively.”

Indian news media outlet, TOI also quoted an Indian infantry official as saying that “The recent standoff with China has proven the need for the critical capability to deploy soldiers in inhospitable terrains. This is a crucial induction for the force. The induction and de-induction of troops from frontline areas faster is a key factor in the current volatile situation.”