India's FRCV Program to Involve Two Distinct Prototypes, Both Powered by Indigenous Datran 1500 hp Engine

The Indian Army's ambitious Future Ready Combat Vehicle (FRCV) program is set to revolutionize its armored fleet by incorporating cutting-edge technology and, importantly, indigenous propulsion systems.

At the heart of this initiative is the DRDO-developed Datran 1500hp engine, designed to power the next generation of Indian main battle tanks (MBTs). This engine represents a significant stride towards India's goal of self-reliance in defence technology.

The Datran 1500hp engine is a military-grade propulsion system specifically engineered to provide the FRCV MBTs with exceptional power and performance.

With a 30.1 power-to-weight ratio for a 50-ton MBT, the engine ensures enhanced mobility and operational efficiency, crucial for modern combat scenarios. Its indigenous design aligns with the Indian Army's focus on reducing dependence on foreign technologies.

Interestingly, the FRCV program will involve the development of two distinct prototypes based on responses to the upcoming Request for Proposal (RFP). These prototypes will embody different design philosophies, armament configurations, and technological innovations.

However, both will be powered by the same Datran 1500hp engine. This standardization ensures consistent performance metrics and simplifies logistics during production and deployment.

After rigorous trials and evaluations, one of the two prototypes will be selected as the winning design. The production plan for the first batch of over 590 tanks will involve a 60-40 manufacturing split between the two companies responsible for the competing prototypes.

Production will occur in three phases, with each batch incorporating incremental upgrades based on operational feedback and emerging technological advancements.

The FRCV tanks are slated to replace the Indian Army's aging T-72 fleet by the mid-2040s. With over 2,000 T-72 tanks currently in service, the FRCV program represents a crucial step in modernizing India's armored capabilities and ensuring its readiness for future conflicts.

 

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[R. Singh]

Future tanks must have anti drone systems !

 

[sanket]

Nice approach From prototype development to production spliting & 3 phases, increamental upgrades on feedback bases same should b applied for other defence product two ATAGs etc....Great work by DRDO for engine of 1500 hp Next will b down scale version of 1000 hp for Zorawar Tank

 

[tasks discussion]

Now I think Indian Army is learning from Indian Navy and following the approach by evolving the products in phases.

 

[abhinav srivastava]

Also, develop 500, 750, 1000, 1250, 1800, and 2000 HP engines. They can be used in heavy trucks, tanks, ships etc. Let a pvt company market these engines globally.

 

[sandy 007]

DRDO Should move on to make Engine for Big Combat class Drone. Same like US Predator Drone with more powerfull engines and try to enhance the engine power on own design. That will be a big boost to the drone program for India as well as Export.

 

[Mango_Indian]

When is the prototype going to see the light of day ? Because, post that, it will take 10 years to get to production bare minimum. When Zorawar was conceptualized till it was unveiled, it was less than 2 years.

Here, we are over 6 years but not a single prototype has seen the light of the day. How long will the word "Future" be mis-used to not provide a date by which the first prototype comes to life?

 

[Hey]

Also, develop 500, 750, 1000, 1250, 1800, and 2000 HP engines. They can be used in heavy trucks, tanks, ships etc. Let a pvt company market these engines globally.

DPSUs won't be doing all this work. They pass on the technology to private players, and then it's their job to scale or downscale the product.

You won't give these small things to DPSUs when they are already involved in so many other projects. Because no one is perfect in all departments, let other private players do some R&D on their own from the ToT transferred from DPSUs.

 

[Sandeep]

This is a critical piece of technology that we should have learned how to design, develop and manufacture it 100% indigenously decades ago instead of importing them. It’s a major part and price of an entire tank and without an engine we would have a useless and dead chunk of metal.

Now we need to quickly complete all of the engine’s long tests and certify the technology, reliability, safety, endurance, fuel consumption, efficiency, efficacy and its cost. Once all of that lengthy testing process is done and it’s certified we should allow several private companies to take over and manufacture it.

Also we shouldn’t replace the current T72 engines as it was upgraded from a 750hp to a 1000hp engine which has now balanced the thrust to weight ratio. Also the tanks are quite old and need replacing anyway so we should just maintain them and keep them in active service for as long as possible. While we start manufacturing our indigenous FRCV we will need to increase the amount of tanks that we can manufacture per year. We currently have a very large number of T72 tanks and to replace all of them will take over a decade or more which we can’t afford to wait. We need a much larger number of modern tanks in active service to increase our armoured vehicles as China will be expanding their own armoured vehicle as well.

 

[abhinav srivastava]

@Hey
Ashok Leyland has done some good work in this field. We need to incentivize pvt companies to venture into higher HP engines. WhAP 600HP engine is developed jointly by CVRDE and Ashok Leyland.