Indian company Ashok Leyland delivered the first batch of light bulletproof vehicles to the Indian Air Force on 13 April 2021. The company said it will take part in the bidding process for the Indian Army's current LBPV requirement with this vehicle. (Ashok Leyland)
The Indian Army has outlined detailed requirements supporting its acquisition of 375 light bulletproof vehicles (LBPVs).
In an acceptance of necessity (AoN) document issued by the army, the service confirmed that the LBPVs would be procured from local industry.
The AoN also stated that the vehicles will be procured under a fast-track procedure in accordance with provisions of the Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) 2020, which supports India's drive to spur indigenous capability development and achieve self-reliance.
According to the AoN, the vehicles should be a manual transmission 4×4 type with the capacity to carry four fully equipped soldiers along with a driver and a co-driver.
The vehicles must have the capacity to carry a load of 600 kg with an onroad speed of not less than 60 km/h and a cross-country speed of 40 km/h.
The vehicle should be able to withstand the firing of 7.62 mm self-loading rifles, 5.56 mm Indian Small Arms System rifles, and 7.62 mm AK-47s. The vehicle should keep the soldiers safe from 36M hand grenades if exploded directly under the vehicle.
The vehicle should weigh not more than 4,500 kg.
According to the AoN, the tentative date of issue of the request for proposal (RFP) is 15 November.
An Indian Army official told Janes that the vehicle will be used in the Himalayan terrains to boost the mobility of the troops.
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