On Wednesday, Larsen & Toubro Limited (L&T) announced that it signed a contract with the Indian Army for the supply of all-terrain BvS10 Sindhu vehicles and a comprehensive integrated logistics support package for initial deployment, maintenance and life-cycle sustainment.
L&T has teamed up with BAE Systems Hägglunds, a Swedish business unit of BAE Systems specialising in tracked, articulated, and amphibious all-terrain armoured vehicles, which is the original manufacturer of the BvS10 platform, for the deal.
What is BvS10 Sindhu?
BvS10 Sindhu is an upgraded variant of the BvS10 articulated all-terrain vehicle. It will be tailored specifically for India’s terrain and climate, including high-altitude, desert, marshland, and amphibious environments.
The company said the graded vehicle successfully competed in and flawlessly completed a series of demanding trials, demonstrating exceptional performance in both sea-level environments and high-altitude regions.
Managing Director of BAE Systems Hägglunds Tommy Gustafsson Rask explained why BvS10 Sindhu will be an important addition to the Indian Army. “The BvS10’s unmatched mobility, flexibility and performance in extreme climatic conditions are critical attributes highlighted by the Indian Army” he said.
Capabilities of the vehicle
The platform will offer enhanced operational, strategic, and tactical mobility to the force's diverse deployment scenarios, including in the water. India's varied border geography includes snowy, mountainous Himalayan borders, desert areas in Rajasthan, marshy and riverine zones in the Northeastern states, and in coastal areas. The BvS10’s articulated mobility provides optimal manoeuvrability across varying terrains, including snow, ice, rock, sand, mud, swamps, and steep mountain environments, L&T said.
The amphibious features of BvS10 will allow it to swim in flooded areas or coastal waters.
The company claimed that the vehicle can deliver personnel, supplies, and mounted firepower to address any threat in the modern operating environment.
The modular design of the vehicle allows it to be reconfigured for varying missions. "It can be delivered in multiple variants that include transporting personnel, command and control, ambulance service, vehicle repair and recovery, logistics support, situational awareness, as well as vehicle-mounted lethality and support weapons," a statement from L&T read.
First time in Asia
While the vehicle is currently in service in Austria, France, the Netherlands, Sweden, Ukraine and the UK, this is the first expansion of BvS10 into Asia. The vehicle is also on order for the German Army.
Regional director of BAE Systems Hägglunds Darren Restarick said the BvS10 contract and licensing agreement in India not only lays the foundation for future growth but also marks the first expansion of BvS10 into Asia.