Modernising the Mechanised Infantry: Casual Approach has Changed Little

With unstable and dangerous borders, it is imperative for India to revamp, upgrade, and modernize its armed forces. At a time when the Chinese dragon is spewing fire, there is a pressing need to match them missile for missile, vehicle for vehicle, tech for tech. Unfortunately, it seems as if the authorities haven’t yet realized that time is of the essence, and are dragging their feet where they should be going full speed ahead. This could cost the nation if the projects are not fast tracked

By Lt Gen J K Sharma, PhD

Admin Opinion

A few published pieces appeared nearly simultaneously in the newspapers between August 27 and August 29, 2022 on the developments regarding modernisation of the Mechanised Infantry. Of particular interest are the two, one in News 18/August 27 titled “Infantry Combat Vehicles In, Soviet-Era BMP-2 Out: How Army Plans to Modernise Mechanised Infantry”, and the second in The Hindustan Times dated August 29, titled “Army Begins Upgrade of Mechanised Infantry”. Essentially, both these pieces mention that the mechanised infantry is on the threshold of a critical transformation; other news articles say the same.

 

They report that the Mechanised Infantry plans to equip itself with Future Infantry Combat Vehicles (FICV), missile systems, loitering munitions, and anti-drone weapons, along with intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) platforms. The published pieces also cite sources about the modalities for procuring Nag Missile Systems (NAMIS) for the Recce & Support (Tracked) Battalions and Infantry Combat Vehicle, Command (ICV Comd), as the Command & Control platform are being drawn up.

However, these articles omit to mention extremely important aspects of failed timelines of this modernisation. Many other overtly delayed modernisation programmes of the Indian Army have had the same fate. The modernisation of the Mechanised Infantry should have been completed as early as 2017. There is a lot of confusion and dilemma regarding the implementation of these programs; hence, it is unlikely that these programs will be implemented within the timelines mentioned.

 
The modernisation of the Mechanised Infantry should have been completed as early as 2017

Infantry Combat Vehicle BMP-II was inducted into the Indian Army in 1987 to replace the vintage BMP-1. The Indian license-produced variant of the BMP-2, built by Ordnance Factory Medak, the first vehicle, assembled from components supplied by Russia (KBP), was ready in 1987. By 1999, about 90% of the complete vehicle and its associated systems were being produced in India. As the original vehicle was without night fighting capability, it was decided to upgrade it. Since the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM – KBP/Russia) could not upgrade the equipment, the contract was signed with Israel. In 2017, another contract was awarded by the Ministry of Defence (MoD) for Rs 2,400 Cr to upgrade 693 BMP-2s with night fighting capabilities. The process has been ongoing since then.

On June 2, 2020, the MoD placed another order with the Ordinance Factory Board (OFB) for 156-upgraded BMP-2/2K at the cost of Rs 1094 Crores and to complete the delivery by 2023. However, of the 2700 BMP-2s held by the Indian Army, only 200 have been in service for 10 years or less. As for the rest, nearly 1100 ICVs are obsolete or near obsolescence and require urgent replacement. The replacement of BMP-2 with a state-of-the-art Future Infantry Combat Vehicle (FICV) was conceived well in time, and it was hoped that the FICV would at least commence replacing the BMP-II by 2017, followed by the phasing out of BMP-II starting in 2018. However, it has been mired in various delays.

 

In 2008 a proposal was approved for the FICV Project to be on a private-public partnership basis under the Defence Procurement Procedure 2008 ‘Make’ category for developing “high-tech, complex systems” through Indian industry. The Government sent the Expression of Interest (EoI) to Mahindra Defence Systems, Tata’s, L&T, Reliance Industries and OFB in 2009 based on their commercial bids. The FICV project was to be put on the fast track, looking at the production of 3,000 FICVs to replace the upgraded BMPs at a cost of $10 billion. However, the follow-up of the first EoI was stunted because of “perceived inconsistencies” in the evaluation of EoI responses. The process was then shelved and restarted again in 2014.

In 2008 a proposal was approved for the FICV Project to be on a private-public partnership basis under the Defence Procurement Procedure 2008 ‘Make’ category for developing “high-tech, complex systems” through Indian industry

In 2014, Bharat Forge, Punj Lloyd, Force Motors and Ashok Leyland were included in the FICV project through fresh acceptance of necessity (AoN) approved by MoD. Multiple foreign firms showed interest in joint ventures (JV). A second EoI was issued in July 2015 to 10 vendors. Two Development Agencies (DAs) were to be shortlisted to build prototypes, but the project got logjammed again in various bottlenecks, including corporate rivalry and controversies.

In February 2018, independent expert monitors (IEMs) found the evaluation process for selecting Development Agencies (DAs) to produce FICV prototypes correct. But the Development Agencies (DAs) were still not selected from respondents to the second EoI. Instead, the proposal was sent back to the Army to study the possibility of shifting it under the ‘Make II’ category.

The RFI for 1750 FICVs (Tracked) was issued on 16 April 2021, stating that the “preferred categorization for the project is Buy (Indian – IDDM)/ Buy & Make (Indian) as per provisions of Chapter of DAP-2020.” It also stated that the RFP is scheduled for issue by December 2021.

On July 23, 2021, three months later, another RFI was issued, termed “Under Strategic Partnership Mode” in accordance with Para 20 and Appendix C of Ch VII (SP Model) of DAP 2020. This once again was a waffling step as the FICV project, both tracked and wheeled, has made huge progress on all fronts within the country. The Supply Order for the Nine Wheeled Armoured Platform (WhAPP) by the Indian Army for Eastern Ladakh and Six by the CRPF establishes the same on the ground.

The Infantry Combat Vehicle (ICV) is a potent and formidable weapon platform vital for Mechanised Infantry

On June 15, 2022, the Indian Army floated a draft Statement of Case for procurement of 1750 FICVs under the Buy Indian/Buy (Indian IDDM) acquisition category under the provisions of Chapter II of DAP 2020. The Infantry Combat Vehicle (ICV) is a potent and formidable weapon platform vital for Mechanised Infantry. After over 30 years since the perceived need and 12 years in the works, with on-and-off rumours of the FICV project being shelved-progressed-shelved, these vacillations have seriously undermined the capability of the Army. The induction plan for the FICV was delayed, and the date was shifted from 2017 to 2025.

However, as the events unfold and further vacillation in on the model of development/procurement/induction, the induction of this important equipment may be further delayed easily by another decade.

Indigenous elements may be committed to 50% at the manufacturing/production stage. However, it is probable that the development/ supply will be a CKD/ SKD arrangement or focused on manufacturing/ integration only. This approach will defeat the very purpose of having an indigenous design, content and potential for upgrades without dependency on foreign partners

A number of private companies have been vying for a stake and share in this important and costly project. The earlier responses to the RFI by many industries indicate that a few companies are going for outright consortia with foreign partners for a majority of the systems. Indigenous elements may be committed to 50% at the manufacturing/production stage. However, it is probable that the development/ supply will be a CKD/ SKD arrangement or focused on manufacturing/ integration only. This approach will defeat the very purpose of having an indigenous design, content and potential for upgrades without dependency on foreign partners. The very purpose of Atma Nirbharta will be defeated. This would also translate into Buy and Make being projected as IDDM by a majority of the Vendors.

There is a need to start with a clear position and perspective on what is desirable. And to that, there is no doubt that the Indian Army/Mechanised Infantry needed induction of FICV to replace the ageing BMP II in 2017. We are five years late and yet, the FICV is not even on the drawing board. To move forward, a substantial recalibration is required, with a holistic perspective on the best option available amongst various choices both at the Army and MoD level on this much delayed but extremely important project in the interest of the Army and the Nation.

– The writer is an Indian Army Veteran and former Chief of Staff, Central Command.