Tata Motors-led consortium to develop armoured combat vehicle

Tata Motors Ltd. along with Bharat Forge Ltd. and the US-based General Dynamics Land Systems will develop the future infantry combat vehicle (FICV) for the Indian armed forces, the company said on Monday.

In a statement Tata Motors said an agreement has been signed with Bharat Forge and General Dynamics for this purpose.

The FICV will replace the Indian Army's fleet of 2610 Russian-designed BMP (Sarath BMP-II) series armed vehicles, that are in operation since 1980.

According to the statement, Tata Motors will bring its design, development and integration of mobility platform strengths to the table while Bharat Forge will bring on board its competence with fighting platforms and manufacturing strengths.

On its part General Dynamics will bring its expertise and system of systems integration.

According to the statement, FICV is a high mobility armoured battle vehicle for infantry soldiers and will be compact, tracked and amphibious.

The vehicle will not weigh more than 18-20 tons and will be air-portable.

The firing range of the anti-tank missile will be beyond four kilometres and with capability to carry a three-member crew and eight combat-kitted infantrymen.