Indian Army Selects BAE Systems’ BvS-10 All-Terrain Vehicle
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LONDON – The Indian Army has selected BAE Systems Hägglunds’ BvS-10 for its next all-terrain tracked vehicle,marking the “first expanse of BvS-10 into Asia,” according to a BAE Systems official.
L&T Awarded production Contract
The production contract, worth an undisclosed sum, was awarded to Indian conglomerate Larsen & Toubro (L&T) for a total of 18 BvS-10 “Sindhu” ATVs, as announced by L&T today.
The proclamation stated, “The BvS10 Sindhu is an upgraded variant of the proven BvS10 articulated all-terrain vehicle with adaptations tailored specifically for India’s terrain and climate, including high altitude, desert, marshland and amphibious environments.”
‘Make in India’ Initiative and supply chain security
BAE Systems Hägglunds Regional Director Darren Restarick explained that L&T will be responsible for the complete build of the BvS-10s at their Armoured Systems Complex facility in Hazira, the same location manufacturing Hanwha’s K9 self-propelled howitzer. The deal, contracted under the Indian government’s ‘Make in India‘ initiative, will also enhance the “broader security of supply” of BvS-10 parts globally, Restarick added.
“This deal represents technology transfer, know-how and technical support,” Restarick said, confirming the BvS-10 successfully completed vehicle trials at altitudes up to 18,000 feet above mean sea level. The contract also includes a complete integrated logistic support package for initial deployment, maintenance, and life cycle sustainment.
Indian Army Requirements
A 2022 request for proposals (RFP) issued by the Indian Ministry of Defense sought an ATV capable of operating “seamlessly” in high-altitude areas,as well as “low-lying salt flats and swamp areas.”
Delivery and Current Users
all 18 platforms will be troop-carrying variants and are scheduled for delivery to the Indian Armed Forces within two years, BAE Systems Hägglunds confirmed.
The BvS-10 is currently in service with the armed forces of Austria, France, the Netherlands, Sweden, Ukraine, and the United Kingdom. It is also on order for the German Army and has been selected for the US Army’s Cold Weather All-Terrain Vehicle (CATV) program.
Hägglunds competed against India’s Prominent Comtech’s Talwar ATV, another twin-cabin and amphibious vehicle, for the contract.
Potential Future Roles
It remains unclear whether the Indian MoD will modify the BvS-10 for additional roles, which could include command and control, ambulance service, vehicle repair and recovery, logistics support, situational awareness, and vehicle-mounted weaponry, according to the official announcement.
“This contract addresses and manages many of the challenges customers and users now face in the world. how do we deal with security of supply? How do we create assurance in our supply chains? Because under ‘Make in india’ requirements of bvs-10, L&T has to deliver greater than 60 percent indigenous content that exponentially increases the scope and capacity for us to provide all of our customer base potential security of supply going forward,” Restarick concluded.
Published: 2025/11/19 22:54:11