Tata partners with Bharat Forge & GDLS USA for FICV program

Tata Motors has signed a strategic agreement with Bharat Forge Limited and US based General Dynamics Land Systems (GDLS), for the Indian Ministry of Defence's Future Infantry Combat Vehicle (FICV) program.

Tata Motors will contribute the design, development & integration of mobility platforms, while Bharat Forge will bring on-board its expertise in fighting platforms and manufacturing. General Dynamics has experience in various integrational programs.

The FICV is a high mobility armoured battle vehicle. It needs to be compact, tracked and amphibious, and no heavier than 18-20 tonnes, so that it can be air-portable and transportable by other means, to combat zones. The vehicle must fire anti-tank guided missiles, to ranges beyond four kilometres, and have the capability to carry a crew of three and eight combat-kitted infantrymen. The FICV will replace the Indian Army's fleet of 2610 Russian-designed BMP (Sarath BMP-II) series armed vehicles, that are in operation since 1980.

The Tata Motors-led consortium's response to the Indian Ministry of Defence EoI (Expression of Interest) commits to indigenization, through various Tata group companies, that play a role in the Defence and Aerospace sector, also partnering with companies with competencies in the development of ICVs, for the global market. Some of the group companies involved in the FICV program are Tata Advanced Systems, Tata Advanced Materials, Tata Consultancy Services, TAL Manufacturing Solutions and Tata Technologies Limited.