L&T to Make Indigenous BvS10 Sindhu for Indian Army

• L&T wins Army contract for BvS10 Sindhu vehicles
• Indigenous production at Hazira with BAE support
• All-terrain design for high-altitude, desert ops

Larsen​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ & Toubro (L&T), together with the global defence major BAE Systems, has secured a major contract from the Indian Army, which aims at producing indigenous BvS10 Sindhu all-terrain armoured vehicles, thereby increasing India's self-reliance in the defence sector. This agreement is a testimonial to India's Atmanirbhar Bharat military hardware initiative, with L&T gearing up to manufacture the vehicles at its technologically advanced Armoured Systems Complex in Hazira, Gujarat. The collaboration is intended to utilize BAE Systems Hägglunds' design and development expertise to not only meet the stringent operational requirements of the platform but also facilitate the transfer of technology to the local ecosystems.

The BvS10 Sindhu is a next-generation version of the combat-proven BvS10 wheeled armoured personnel carrier, and is designed to meet tough India terrains. The vehicle is versatile and can be used in any situation - in high-altitude areas like the Himalayas, in deserts, in marshy lands, or even in waterborne amphibious assaults, thus providing exceptional mobility over snow, ice, sand, and water.

 Some of the basic features are a modular 8x8 setup for very quick changeovers between wheeled and tracked modes, high-level protection against small arms, shell fragments, and homemade explosive devices as well as built-in command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (C4ISR) systems.

Also Read: India, Russia Hold Talks to Boost Defence Cooperation

The vehicle, which can accommodate a maximum of 13 crew members, is capable of carrying out tasks in troop transport, reconnaissance, and combat engineering, thereby enabling the infantry to have more tactical flexibility and better control over the combat forces in the most varied propositions. The Indian Army is being equipped with the most modern mobility solutions under this agreement, which also encompasses a comprehensive integrated logistics support package that will cater to initial deployment, follow-up maintenance, and full life-cycle sustainment.

Through the emphasis on homegrown manufacturing, the initiative intends to offset the country's dependence on imports, create skilled jobs, and develop industries that support the defence sector along the corridor of Gujarat. The Armoured Systems Complex at L&T, which is a major leverage point in India’s drive for defence indigenization, will be the engine of change in tracked and wheeled systems, thus, ensuring India’s future potential as a reliable exporter of armoured ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌platforms.