Govt. Eyes Public-Private Strategic Partnership (SPV) Model to Spearhead FRCV Development

The Indian Army is on the brink of a revolutionary transformation in its ground forces, spearheaded by the development of Future Ready Combat Vehicles (FRCVs). These advanced tanks are poised to replace the aging T-72 fleet, promising a substantial boost to India's military capabilities.

The government's vision for this ambitious project, estimated to be worth Rs 57,000 crore, extends beyond mere replacement. It envisions a strategic shift in defense procurement through the adoption of the Public-Private Strategic Partnership (SPV) model. This innovative approach seeks to leverage the expertise of both public and private entities to expedite the FRCV development process and ensure the incorporation of cutting-edge technologies.

Under the SPV model, a government agency will lead the project, while select private sector companies will contribute their technological prowess to develop key components and technologies. This collaborative effort aims to combine the strategic vision of the government with the innovation and efficiency of the private sector, ultimately resulting in a world-class combat vehicle.

The FRCV program is designed to unfold in three phases, with the initial induction of 590 FRCVs. This phased approach not only ensures a seamless transition from the T-72s but also allows for continuous improvement based on real-world operational feedback. By the final phase, the Indian Army aims to have over 1,500 FRCVs in its arsenal, completely replacing the aging T-72 fleet.

These FRCVs are envisioned as technological marvels, integrating artificial intelligence, drone capabilities, and active protection systems to enhance situational awareness, reconnaissance, and survivability on the battlefield. The tanks will also possess "manned-unmanned teaming" capabilities, allowing for seamless coordination with other unmanned platforms. This emphasis on network-centric warfare ensures that the FRCVs can operate effectively in conjunction with other elements of the Indian military, creating a formidable and cohesive fighting force.

By adopting the SPV model and embracing cutting-edge technologies, India is poised to modernize its ground forces and strengthen its defense capabilities significantly. The development of FRCVs marks a significant step towards self-reliance in defense manufacturing and positions India as a key player in the global defense landscape.

 

[NSR]

Do not wait for FRCV at all.

Keep building Arjun Mk IAs and keep upgrading T-90s and T-72s if they have useful life left in them.
Also keep building Indian APCs, IFVs. amd WhAPs as they are very critical for battlefield success even if they get destroyed.

Definitely not worth waiting futuristic Indian products in the present circumstances of two bitter enemies.

 

[charminar_waale_ismail_bhai]

'Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. '

Mandating a Public - Private partnership in defence have only produced raita in the past.

Lack of accountability and bureaucratic delay is the hallmark of the DPSUs work culture and add to it the propensity of private sector players to extract benifits from PPP arrangement and you have a perfect recipe for missed deadlines, sub-par products and testings extending to ages.

Exactly the problem that MoD has been trying to fight.

 

[Ranjeet Singh]

FRCV without anti drone system is obsolete platform ! Make with Laser beam anti UCAV/Jammer tech !

 

[Anant]

FRCV without anti drone system is obsolete platform ! Make with Laser beam anti UCAV/Jammer tech !

Let's also get proton torpedoes while we are at it, shall we? Of course, FRCV can wait till 2050, can't it, according to what you are saying?

 

[INDIAN]

So much confusion , we are just delaying our program ,knowingly or unknowly ..
After Arjun development experience , DRDO has enough experience to build another tank ,this time weight should be kept in check. Kalyani ,L&T ,Tatas can join hands and with assured orders.
No new import of tanks.

 

[Akshat]

So much confusion , we are just delaying our program ,knowingly or unknowly ..
After Arjun development experience , DRDO has enough experience to build another tank ,this time weight should be kept in check. Kalyani ,L&T ,Tatas can join hands and with assured orders.
No new import of tanks.

DRDO has learnt nothing. Ever. Even after working on Nag missiles for decades, they took 9+ years to make ATGM. And it has not yet reached the users for user trials. ATAGS fiasco is another prime example. So never ever trust DRDO with anything. CAG itself told the parliament in writing that DRDO is cheating the country.

 

[The Presence]

SPV isn't working even after a firm order is promised by the IAF for AMCA.
So what exactly makes the Indian Army think any Private firm would be willing to partner as an SPV in a Global Tender where there are "Zero" guarantees for a potential win ?

 

[RalphRearden]

Lol....and the army will request the following absolutely critical requirements:

• must be able to fight in a rarified oxygen free atmosphere of moon
• must be able to fire 10 different types of rounds
• weight has to be less than 50 ton so it can float in water, and yes must have 4 men crew or if possible 5
• future ready to fly in case terrain is demanding through strap on jet packs
• survive at least 3 direct hits from other tanks
• must have hard kill shield to bring down atms
• engine must be able to take diesel, petrol, gas, or even distilled water
• Ability to incorporate lasers instead of gun...they must be interchangeable in a live battlefield scenario

And once you develop these over next 20 years, we will take another 10 to test it...btw we need DRDO/ISRO to design rockets to take it to moon so we can test.

Meanwhile, lets import Armata or Merkava in the "interim" as "emergency purchases" with nuts and bolts being screwed by HVF unde "Make in India"...and let someone call it a fancy name like so it sounds Indian....

Meanwhile, behind the scenes..........we need scholarships for our kids for UK Univerities, EU shopping trips, Dubai Golden Visas and post retirement benefits to settle in Canada/Australia ...give us those and we will ensure we ask DRDO for all the above "critical requirements"

 

[ABHIJIT APSINGIKAR]

First thing they ought to do is to reevaluate the definition of a Modern Main Battle Tank. The tanks functionality, design and specifications all need to be rethought especially after the Ukraine conflict has exposed serious limitations with respect to contemporary Russian and Western tank designs.

This has already set in motion, as both UK and the US which were preparing to rollout the new versions of Challenger and Abrams in form of Challenger-3 and M1E3 Abrams are going back to drawing board to incorporate new design features, in light of the threat posed by top attack drones and loitering munitions.

 

[AK S]

DRDO has learnt nothing. Ever. Even after working on Nag missiles for decades, they took 9+ years to make ATGM. And it has not yet reached the users for user trials. ATAGS fiasco is another prime example. So never ever trust DRDO with anything. CAG itself told the parliament in writing that DRDO is cheating the country.

You’d recommend buy foreign maal, … Javelin, ATHOS, right? These are costly opiums … doesn’t help and mostly hurts.

Forces have to be cajoled to induct the indigenous weapons. That’s the only way forward. First cut maybe barely adequate, but future iterations will bridge the gap with foreign products.

You are so persistent with your propaganda that ATAG is a ‘failure’. For me, it’s a world class product and ticks all the boxes. A good businesses model where even private sector has put in serous money. I find the latest artillery spec to be rigged to give ATHOS an outside chance. A gun that not even inducted by Israel. ATAG demonstrated better mobility with the existing 15T carriages.

 

[Akshat]

You’d recommend buy foreign maal, … Javelin, ATHOS, right? These are costly opiums … doesn’t help and mostly hurts.

Forces have to be cajoled to induct the indigenous weapons. That’s the only way forward. First cut maybe barely adequate, but future iterations will bridge the gap with foreign products.

You are so persistent with your propaganda that ATAG is a ‘failure’. For me, it’s a world class product and ticks all the boxes. A good businesses model where even private sector has put in serous money. I find the latest artillery spec to be rigged to give ATHOS an outside chance. A gun that not even inducted by Israel. ATAG demonstrated better mobility with the existing 15T carriages.

Only a socialist like you will give such options. Our private sector, and even DPSUs for a change, already have options available. Why buy Athos, when we have Bharat 52 and Dhanush 52? Why buy Javelin, when Tonbo imaging and BDL have Amogha?

As for rigging, the specs were actually rigged to favor ATAGS. Army specifically avoided mentioning exact weight and just said ‘compatible with existing GTVs’. And then purchased new GTVs to make sure they work with ATAGS.

As for mobility trials. Has anyone other than the developers/manufacturers said it? Even they haven’t said it on record.

And it is indeed a failed gun. That’s why army had to cut down the numbers. An absolute disaster and a case study on how not to make a product for a customer.

 

[Pramkumar]

keep producing at least 100 Arjun MBT per annum continuously will help the local industry to develop the new technologies required for the FRCV.

 

[Pink Panther]

FRCV without anti drone system is obsolete platform ! Make with Laser beam anti UCAV/Jammer tech !

also mine sweeping arms, EW and drone launcher.

 

[Sudha]

As for rigging, the specs were actually rigged to favor ATAGS. Army specifically avoided mentioning exact weight and just said ‘compatible with existing GTVs’. And then purchased new GTVs to make sure they work with ATAGS.

As for mobility trials. Has anyone other than the developers/manufacturers said it? Even they haven’t said it on record.

And it is indeed a failed gun. That’s why army had to cut down the numbers. An absolute disaster and a case study on how not to make a product for a customer.

ATAG isn't a failed gun. The import army doesn't want local products. After the ATAGS disappointment for lack of orders, one can't blame the private sector for not being interested in manufacturing defence products.

 

[Sudha]

After all the cooperation (if it materialises) one has to just hope that the import army will place orders. Otherwise FRCV will get the status of ATAGS, successful but import army doesn't place orders.

 

[Akshat]

ATAG isn't a failed gun. The import army doesn't want local products. After the ATAGS disappointment for lack of orders, one can't blame the private sector for not being interested in manufacturing defence products.

Then can you please explain why DRDO developed an 18 ton gun when Army has 16 ton GTVs? Or donwe have unlimited funds according to you to buy brand new GTVs? Who will pay for the extra expenditure?

 

[Akshat]

SPV isn't working even after a firm order is promised by the IAF for AMCA.
So what exactly makes the Indian Army think any Private firm would be willing to partner as an SPV in a Global Tender where there are "Zero" guarantees for a potential win ?

Where is the tender for AMCA? As for FICV, L&T is already making a prototype. So companies are far more than willing when an actual tender is presented.

 

[Akshat]

Lol....and the army will request the following absolutely critical requirements:

• must be able to fight in a rarified oxygen free atmosphere of moon
• must be able to fire 10 different types of rounds
• weight has to be less than 50 ton so it can float in water, and yes must have 4 men crew or if possible 5
• future ready to fly in case terrain is demanding through strap on jet packs
• survive at least 3 direct hits from other tanks
• must have hard kill shield to bring down atms
• engine must be able to take diesel, petrol, gas, or even distilled water
• Ability to incorporate lasers instead of gun...they must be interchangeable in a live battlefield scenario

And once you develop these over next 20 years, we will take another 10 to test it...btw we need DRDO/ISRO to design rockets to take it to moon so we can test.

Meanwhile, lets import Armata or Merkava in the "interim" as "emergency purchases" with nuts and bolts being screwed by HVF unde "Make in India"...and let someone call it a fancy name like so it sounds Indian....

Meanwhile, behind the scenes..........we need scholarships for our kids for UK Univerities, EU shopping trips, Dubai Golden Visas and post retirement benefits to settle in Canada/Australia ...give us those and we will ensure we ask DRDO for all the above "critical requirements"

Meanwhile DRDO will promise all these, then throw the QRs in the bin and make whatever they wanna make. Then they will file a fake success report after 2 decades, and will cry that no one is purchasing the cr@p they made.

 

[Akshat]

After all the cooperation (if it materialises) one has to just hope that the import army will place orders. Otherwise FRCV will get the status of ATAGS, successful but import army doesn't place orders.

Before that one has to hope that DRDO will read the QRs instead of making whatever cr@p they wanna make like ATAGS. Useless but still our patriotic army will place massive orders to the best of their ability.

 

[Bhishma]

We need to attract several bids. We need to have two finalists. Both must develop the tanks. Out of this, #1 must be given 75% and #2 must be given 25% contract. This will force the players to outdo each other and give us the best.

 

[kumar]

If SPV materializes then it will be a miracle. Even if SPV is made and they develop FRCA, even then infamous IA procurement will drown it in never ending trials. When private sector did not take risk in AMCA, why will they take risk in FRCV only. And there are some guys who will only derogate DRDO just to peddle Imports.

 

[GMR]

Lol....and the army will request the following absolutely critical requirements:

• must be able to fight in a rarified oxygen free atmosphere of moon
• must be able to fire 10 different types of rounds
• weight has to be less than 50 ton so it can float in water, and yes must have 4 men crew or if possible 5
• future ready to fly in case terrain is demanding through strap on jet packs
• survive at least 3 direct hits from other tanks
• must have hard kill shield to bring down atms
• engine must be able to take diesel, petrol, gas, or even distilled water
• Ability to incorporate lasers instead of gun...they must be interchangeable in a live battlefield scenario

And once you develop these over next 20 years, we will take another 10 to test it...btw we need DRDO/ISRO to design rockets to take it to moon so we can test.

Meanwhile, lets import Armata or Merkava in the "interim" as "emergency purchases" with nuts and bolts being screwed by HVF unde "Make in India"...and let someone call it a fancy name like so it sounds Indian....

Meanwhile, behind the scenes..........we need scholarships for our kids for UK Univerities, EU shopping trips, Dubai Golden Visas and post retirement benefits to settle in Canada/Australia ...give us those and we will ensure we ask DRDO for all the above "critical requirements"

They may also demand that the vehicle will be invisible if required.. or they may arrange screening of "Black Panther" to identify more requirements.

 

[The Presence]

Where is the tender for AMCA? As for FICV, L&T is already making a prototype. So companies are far more than willing when an actual tender is presented.

You are late to the game. SPV Model already booted out by MoD to teach a lesson to the private players fixated on partnership with foreign companies for AMCA. DRDO is now going ahead with HAL.

 

[Kush Kashyap]

I think L&T should lead the FRCV since they already have built K9 vajra and now building zorawar tanks and DRDO should be given role to build critical systems to and future tech to support the FRCV since DRDO can't build anything on time lol

 

[Rajesh]

Let the FRCV project go along but meanwhile let us develop a 3 crew 125mm autoloader gun Arjun. The present tank can be modified which will be able to reduce the weight by atleast 10 ton.

 

[Akshat]

You are late to the game. SPV Model already booted out by MoD to teach a lesson to the private players fixated on partnership with foreign companies for AMCA. DRDO is now going ahead with HAL.

On the contrary, GoI is going full throttle ahead with private companies. Like giving C295 order to Tata, privatisation of HAL, giving part of DRDO’s budget to private companies and MRFA where every participant has some private partner. In fact, ACM Bhadoria, who joined B J P recently himself said that SPV is a must and blamed ADA and HAL for not letting it happen.

 

[Torontodude]

I think L&T should lead the FRCV since they already have built K9 vajra and now building zorawar tanks and DRDO should be given role to build critical systems to and future tech to support the FRCV since DRDO can't build anything on time lol

Best to go via bidding route. Single vendor orders are not good

 

[Torontodude]

The most important factor is MoD commitment. If they are going to give piece meal orders- 100 today,150 tomorrow- this is a failure even before it starts. There needs to be a strategic commitment of 1500 vehicles to truly achieve fast production and economies of scale.

 

[Mrityunjay Shrivastav]

No tank in the world can meet requirement set by army, it's absurd to even think about tank like that till 2080 or later.