To give a boost to the ‘Make in India’ initiative, the Central government has placed an order for the manufacture of Rs 1,094 crore worth of advanced infantry vehicles

In a major boost to ‘Make in India’ initiative, the Ministry of Defence has placed an order for the supply of 156 BMP 2/2k Infantry Combat Vehicles with upgraded features to Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) for the use of the mechanized forces of the Indian Army.

In a statement released by the Ministry of Defence on Tuesday, these combat vehicles will be manufactured by ordnance factory at Medak at an approximate cost of Rs 1,094 crore.

Giving details, the MoD said these infantry combat vehicles, to be powered by 285 horsepower engines, are lower in weight, thereby making them highly mobile to meet all tactical requirements of mobility in the battlefield.

It further said these ICVs will reach a speed of 65 kmph with easy steering ability in cross country terrain.

Besides, they will have amphibious capabilities to travel at 07 kmph in water. These are designed to overcome slope of up to 35° cross obstacles of 0.7 metre and have lethal firepower capability.

Recently, to encourage ‘Make in Initiative, the Central government issued guidelines on procurement of defence products from local manufacturers in order to promote manufacturing and production of goods and services in India.

Under this order, Department of Defence Production (DDP), the Ministry of Defence has so far notified 127 items where purchase preference is given to local suppliers as per PPP-MII 2017.

In order to further encourage procurement from local suppliers, 26 items out of 127 already notified and henceforth, procuring entities shall procure these items only from local suppliers, irrespective of purchase value, provided that the local suppliers meet the Minimum Local Content (MLC) as prescribed for each item.