Boosting 'Make in India', India continues to develop fully indigenous Futuristic Infantry Combat Vehicle

New Delhi, March 27: With many ups and downs in the $8-billion Futuristic Infantry Combat Vehicle (FICV) project, a fully indigenous vehicle is being developed by Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) and Defence Research Development Organisation (DRDO) for the Indian Army to boost the “Make in India” initiative.

The Indian Army which highly depends on the old Russian-origin BMP-II 'Sarath', FIV with a 30 mm automatic fun, will be replaced by more than 2,600 FICVs having a life span of 32 years. These FICVs, tentatively named as Mark I will help to modernize the Indian Army. The production of the vehicle will start when this particular project will reach a satisfactory stage along with the feedback from Indian Army officials.

 

It is also stated that Mark I would be ready in 3-5 years however, Mark II will take a decade in its development. In accordance with the Make in India initiative of the PM Modi government, most of the parts to be used in the production will be developed in India, except for some minor sub-systems.

 

The vehicle will be developed with enhanced firepower and possess an auto-grenade launcher with a range of 1,500 meters. In addition to that, the army will benefit in such a way that an anti-tank guided missile capability will be built that can fire missiles within a range of 4,000 meters with automatic command. Another important characteristic of the vehicle will be a gun control system linked with a thermal imager fire control.

 

Previously, the OFB and the DRDO were working separately on the projects but eventually came together to join forces to develop this project. It was noted that the joint collaboration will yield results in a period of three to five years.

 

Earlier in January, the Director-General Ordnance Factories and Chairman Ordnance Factories Board Hari Mohan had stated, "OFB started manufacturing Armoured Personnel Carriers for the army from 1983-84. But now we have developed its own Futuristic Infantry Combat (FIC) Vehicle for the army. It is almost 85% ready, and will be exhibited in the next defense exhibition.”

 

There were delays in the way of the project with the Ministry of Defence had sent back it to the Indian Army in 2018 for the rework.