View: 'Make in India' FICV is again on the horizon

The Request for Information (RFI), for approximately 1750 Tracked Futuristic Infantry Combat Vehicles (FICV), to replace the BMP-2 has been issued on June 24, 2021. The RFI comes in the wake of 1770 Future Ready Combat Vehicle (FRCV) which would replace the existing T-72 tank in a phased manner, and the 350 light tanks. Earlier, in November 2019, the RFI for 198 Wheeled Armoured Fighting Vehicles (AFVs) had been issued. All these RFIs, issued so far for big ticket procurement, support the realisation of ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’.The FICV has been on the procurement anvil since the Acceptance of Necessity was issued out in October 2009. It saw two Expression of Interests in the Make/Make-1 category, change to the Make-2 category, and has now finally fructified in a new RFI in the Buy & Make or Buy (Indian-IDDM) category. Major Indian Industry leading houses, along with their foreign partners, had already put in design & development efforts towards the earlier cases and will look forward to this case moving on. The RFI looks for three versions, 55% Gun, 20% Command and 25% Command & Surveillance, with design modularity, enabling development of a family of supporting AFVs in varying roles. Most encouragingly, it also addresses rapidly changing technology by having a three-stage production model, thereby ensuring the ICV modernisation keeps pace with the evolving technologies in the World.Initially, 150-200 number in Limited Series Production (LSP) would be provided over two years, commencing two years from order; followed by 600-700 improved FICVs based on experience of in-service exploitation of the LSP model, over next 6-7 years; and finally, the balance, commencing after approximately 8-9 years, incorporating the improved technologies that would have come about World over. The FICV, while retaining its amphibious capability, looks for high protection levels in the frontal arc at STANAG 5 against 25mm APDS, which can be upgraded to STANAG 6 against 30mm APFSDS, with removable armour panels. It also lays down STANAG 4, against 14.5mm AP, on the sides & top as also STANAG 3B, 8kg mine explosive under belly. It also challenges the designer to produce 30HP/Ton criteria while remaining amphibious, especially with add-on armour. The protection systems incorporate both the warning system, when lased by an adversary with autonomous discharge of anti-laser smoke and the Active Protection System which detects and intercepts an incoming projectile threat. World over, the famous protection systems are the battle proven Israeli Trophy fitted on the Merkava and now also on the US M1A1 Abraham, and the Russian Arena/Afganit fitted on the T-90/ARMATA-14 MBT, respectively. Interestingly, the RFI envisages protection by these means also against kinetic energy projectile, while not giving the velocities of the incoming projectile. This system also caters for anti-drone/swarm attack, the new threat in the battlefield. The FICV is intended to have a wireless third-generation Anti-tank guided missile having dual mode seekers with ranges of 4Km and fire & update capability, interchangeable warheads, a main gun firing a variety of ammunition configuration to take on soft, hard targets and aircrafts at ranges between 2 to 4 Km. It also queries the designer on the feasibility of upgrading the calibre of the main gun without change in the turret, fire control systems and sights. A remotely controlled Automatic Grenade Launcher system, to take on a group target, interchangeable with a 12.7 Machine Gun or a directed energy weapon when developed, have been included. The RFI also incorporates futuristic technology, in its configuration, by envisaging fusion image for its sighting systems, a fully integrated computerised fire control system with Artificial Intelligence assist, enabling the commander and gunner with a 360-degree situational awareness system, target and environmental statistics, weapon selection and delivery. While including head/helmet mounted display systems the requirement is also for fully interchangeable commander and gunner battle stations. Weapon enabled pop-up panoramic sights have been included. It queries on the feasibility of crew-less turret and blast attenuating cushion shock absorber seats, thus enhancing crew & stick survivability. The Battle-field Management System (BMS) provides a picture with friend and foe identification and location fixes. All on one sight picture fully integrated. New systems like loitering munitions and mini-UAV for targeting and battlefield awareness, have been included. Interestingly, the range of both the loitering munition and mini-UAV have been kept at 10Km with flight time of 60 mins. The RFI should look at greater ranges for the mini-UAV considering the Area of Interest of a Combat Group and Combat Team commander as compared to the Area of Influence.The RFI states the tracked FICVs will be employed in temperature conditions from -20 to +45 degrees, across all terrain conditions from deserts, plains, mountains to High altitude up to 5000m. This is going to be a tall order for the designer, considering all the technologies being incorporated and achievable power to weight ratios. Maybe, it is time we looked at compatible variants, designed for sectorial role, maximising effectiveness of systems.The RFI also queries on the Vendors willingness for a Comprehensive Annual Maintenance Contract. This is a refreshing change and in consonance with the reduction of the maintenance manpower and infrastructure in the Army. Incidentally, the Indian Army has also gone in for procurement of the Idea Forge mini-UAV, loitering munition case is on-going, the Spike third generation missile has been inducted for the infantry which has been upgraded now to 4-5km range by Rafael. The BMS has unsuccessfully been under development for long and there cannot be different BMS with each type of equipment. An Expression of Interest for AFV Counter Measure & Protection systems has also been issued. There is also a separate RFI for a wheeled APC, FRCV and light tank to add to the fleet of Arjun, T-72, T-90, BMP-2. While a variety of equipment and weapon systems has its challenges in terms of maintenance and serviceability, the Indian Army would be very much alive to the problem while orchestrating the timelines of development and induction. Indigenous sources for procurement of equipment, with or without foreign technological collaborations, is the way forward to ensure a more homogeneous mix of defence platforms.The author, Major General Rohit Gupta, SM (Retd), a Combat Arms Officer, retired as the Additional DG, Weapon and Equipment of Indian Army. Presently he is heading the Aerospace and Defence practice in Primus PartnersDisclaimer: The opinions expressed in this piece are that of the writer and do not reflect the views of www.economictimes.com

from Economic Times https://ift.tt/3jeIkkx