DRDO's NGMBT Tank Design for FRCV Program Reaches Critical Review Stage After 3 Years in the Making

India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has reached a crucial milestone in its ambitious Next Generation Main Battle Tank (NGMBT) project, with the design now approaching the critical design review (CDR) stage.

This development comes three years after the initial preliminary design review, marking significant progress in the development of this cutting-edge tank intended for the Indian Army's Future Ready Combat Vehicle (FRCV) program.

The NGMBT, designed to meet the specific requirements outlined in the Army's RFI tender, boasts several advanced features aimed at ensuring superior performance on the modern battlefield.

Notably, the tank will be equipped with next-generation explosive reactive armor (ERA) to enhance protection against a variety of threats. Additionally, it will be powered by the DRDO-developed DATRAN 1500 HP engine, promising exceptional mobility and agility.

In recognition of the evolving threats faced by modern MBTs, the NGMBT design also incorporates advanced anti-drone technologies, a crucial element in countering the increasing prevalence of unmanned aerial vehicles in warfare.

While the DRDO's NGMBT has made significant strides, it faces stiff competition from private sector companies also vying for the FRCV contract. The Indian Army is expected to conduct a thorough evaluation of all proposals, taking into account factors such as technological advancements, cost-effectiveness, and overall suitability for the program's objectives.

The NGMBT's progress, however, underscores the DRDO's commitment to providing the Indian Army with cutting-edge, indigenously developed armored capabilities.

 

[sanket]

where is L&T .............??? orders were going to split between two one who have best model

 

[NSR]

Surely looks great and sleek, and with indigenous tank engine Datran 1500 engine.
But Datran 1500 first need to produce 20 engines this year and put them through extensive tests through some Indian Army forever tests.
So India and its citizens need to wait few years for it to materialize.

Expedite project as our enemies will not wait for it to attack us.

 

[sas]

Just fund it properly and impose a strict schedule, these vehicles are required as of yesterday, we are still driving around Cold War relics and relying on mass based formations whose vulnerability is acute

 

[R. Singh]

Next gen tank must have Anti drone systems /Jammer. Since we have two nuclear powered enemies who are accidental bed fellows also , We need to develop FRCV seeking best tech from General dynamic and Arjun MBT and PUMA IFV seeking tech from Germany ! Leave aside T-90 becuase China know pro and cons of T-90 Tanks ! And seek Anti missile shield tech from USA and Israel !

 

[Aravind]

iran showed them flagship tank recently that's really look like a next generation tank so please don't show 90's design and saying this as a future battle tanks

 

[Ysmir Rewari]

This design looks very old, even Cold war era. Pls tell me this was changed.

I could however, see similarities with Merkava. If we can design something on that line, it would be badass! Hope L&T and Bharat Forge are working on this as well.

 

[ASHOK CARROL]

The tank crew must be reduced to three with a automatic Loader and human survivability provided by providing a small toilet , One microwave , a small fridge to sustain the crew sitting in the enclosed capsule in front for 48-60 hrs . A hybrid engine provided with Batteries to reduce fuel tanks and increase silent running when in silent mode waiting and engine clutched to run over 80-90km on roads and 50kmph on rural undeveloped tracks .

 

[Akshat]

iran showed them flagship tank recently that's really look like a next generation tank so please don't show 90's design and saying this as a future battle tanks

Next gen tanks will be next gen more because of the electronics inside than anything else. Iran is unlikely to have any significant high end electronics in their tanks. India has that chance if DRDO is taken out of this project.

 

[Sudha]

The tank crew must be reduced to three with a automatic Loader and human survivability provided by providing a small toilet , One microwave , a small fridge to sustain the crew sitting in the enclosed capsule in front for 48-60 hrs . A hybrid engine provided with Batteries to reduce fuel tanks and increase silent running when in silent mode waiting and engine clutched to run over 80-90km on roads and 50kmph on rural undeveloped tracks .

Seems they are also thinking of including a crew escape plane, in case the tank is pulverised.

 

[Sandeep]

This design looks very old, even Cold war era. Pls tell me this was changed.

I could however, see similarities with Merkava. If we can design something on that line, it would be badass! Hope L&T and Bharat Forge are working on this as well.

Nobody cares how it looks as the tanks capabilities, technology and equipment are far more important and with all tanks the outer design will be very similar.

 

[kumar]

The tank crew must be reduced to three with a automatic Loader and human survivability provided by providing a small toilet , One microwave , a small fridge to sustain the crew sitting in the enclosed capsule in front for 48-60 hrs . A hybrid engine provided with Batteries to reduce fuel tanks and increase silent running when in silent mode waiting and engine clutched to run over 80-90km on roads and 50kmph on rural undeveloped tracks .

IA has specified 4 man crew for tank.

 

[Sandeep]

It’s good that progress is being made and soon they will be ready to manufacture the prototypes. We need this to be a more modern tank with better and larger fire power, better crew protection, enhanced technology, net centric fighting capability, better and more reliable and powerful engines, drone protection and ability to use our drones for surveillance or as loiter munitions and better EW/ESM etc.

Hopefully the private sector are designing and developing their own tanks with more modern technology and capabilities. No matter which indigenous tank design wins, the crucial part is to manufacture the technology and equipment 100% indigenously, in India and using indigenous content only. There is a very large requirement of these new tanks so we need to start up several production lines which can manufacture 100-200 tanks per year or more. This is to replace over 2500 old T72 tanks and eventually the T90 tanks in a few decades time. We should also make it modular to allow easy manufacturing, maintenance, repairs and for future enhanced upgrades and technology. This indigenous tank will be in service for at least 40 years so we will need to keep upgrading the technology and capabilities throughout that period.