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The Kalyani Group has unveiled a significant expansion of its land systems portfolio, revealing the simultaneous development of two distinct versions of the Future Infantry Combat Vehicle (FICV).
In a recent disclosure, Chairman Baba Kalyani confirmed that the group is engineering both tracked and wheeled configurations to address the Indian Army's complex operational requirements across varied topographies.
Indigenous Development Strategy
In a departure from traditional procurement models, these platforms are being designed as part of a private indigenous initiative.The company is not currently tethered to a specific government design or tender timeline. Instead, the Kalyani Group is focusing on creating fully integrated, "made-in-India" systems—including the hulls, powerplants, and advanced turrets—leveraging the engineering expertise of its flagship entity, Bharat Forge.
This "dual-track" approach ensures that the Indian Army will have access to locally developed solutions tailored for different combat environments once the official evaluation process begins.
Comparative Analysis of the FICV Variants
The development of two separate platforms allows the military to match specific vehicle strengths to the unique demands of India's borders.| Feature | Tracked FICV Variant | Wheeled FICV Variant |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Terrain | High-altitude mountains, marshes, and deserts. | Plains, developed road networks, and riverine banks. |
| Key Advantage | Superior off-road traction and heavier armour protection. | High strategic mobility and faster road speeds. |
| Logistics | Ideal for sustained frontline presence in rugged areas. | Lower maintenance costs and rapid long-distance deployment. |
Modernising India's Armoured Fleet
The FICV programme is a critical component of India's defence modernisation, aimed at replacing the long-serving, Soviet-era BMP-2 "Sarath" fleet.Current industry reports suggest the Indian Army requires approximately 1,750 units, with the total project value estimated to exceed ₹60,000 crore.
While the Army has recently sought to upgrade existing BMP-2s with night-fighting capabilities and counter-drone systems as a stopgap, the FICV represents a leap toward a networked, fifth-generation combat platform.
Key features expected in the final designs include:
- Third-generation anti-tank guided missiles (ATGMs).
- 30mm or larger main cannons capable of firing advanced airburst ammunition.
- AI-driven vetronics and integrated drone launchers for battlefield surveillance.
Strategic Autonomy and Future Outlook
By developing these systems independently, the Kalyani Group aims to mitigate risks associated with international supply chains.This strategy aligns with the Aatmanirbhar Bharat mission, ensuring that future upgrades and maintenance can be handled entirely within the country.
The group intends to present these mature, tested prototypes to the Ministry of Defence only after they have reached a high state of operational readiness, prioritising platform performance over immediate contract pursuit.
