The Ministry of Defence (MoD) on Wednesday signed a contract with Armoured Vehicles Nigam Limited (AVNL) to procure 693 armament upgrades for the Indian Army’s infantry combat vehicle BMP2 to BPM2M. “This upgrade includes night enablement, gunner main sight, commander panoramic sight, and fire control system (FCS) with automatic target tracker under the Buy (Indian-Indigenously Designed Developed and Manufactured) Category,” the MoD statement stated.
The AVNL has developed an “indigenised solution for providing existing BMP 2/2K with night fighting capabilities and FCS based on the integration of Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), Chennai-developed sight and FCS,” it said.
The AVNL will produce the “armament upgrades with equipment and sub-systems sourced from indigenous manufacturers”, the Ministry said. It said this will further strengthen the indigenous defence manufacturing ecosystem and accrue the benefits of increasing self-reliance in this field.
Russian combat vehicles upgradation
The Russian Boyevaya Mashina Pekhoty (BMP), or Infantry Fighting Vehicle, is an amphibious vehicle for transporting troops and equipment in war zones that has been in service since the late 1980s by the Indian Army. Equipped with all-around armour steel for fire protection, the BMP-2, a Soviet-designed tracked vehicle, can carry seven troops and their equipment. It features a 30mm cannon, a 7.62mm machine gun, and an ATGM launcher. The BMP-2 serves as the backbone of India’s Mechanised Infantry and plays a crucial role in combat, particularly in Eastern Ladakh, where it is deployed in large numbers.
The Indian Army has been actively seeking upgrades for its fleet. It has performed trials to enhance over 2,500 Russian Infantry combat vehicles – BMP II- with night fighting capabilities, anti-drone measures, and a high-power engine. The upgrade initiative also incorporates specialised ammunition capable of being fired into the air to intercept drones and loitering munitions of specific sizes. These upgrades are focused on providing a comprehensive solution targeting the BMP 2’s Gunner Main Sight, Commander Panoramic Sight, Fire Control System, Automatic Target Tracker, and Laser Range Finder.
Ravi Shankar
