In a move that could be straight out of a sci-fi action flick, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) has sealed the deal on a futuristic upgrade for its infantry combat vehicles. On March 13, 2024, the MoD turned the page towards advanced warfare by signing a contract with Armoured Vehicles Nigam Limited (AVNL) to transform 693 of its BMP2 infantry combat vehicles into the souped-up BMP2M version.
This high-octane upgrade isn’t just any makeover. It includes the installation of Night Enablement features, a Gunner Main Sight, Commander Panoramic Sight, and a cutting-edge Fire Control System (FCS) with an Automatic Target Tracker, all under the patriotic banner of the Buy {Indian-Indigenously Designed Developed and Manufactured} Category.
The AVNL isn’t playing around. They’ve concocted an indigenously developed solution that gives these old-school BMP 2/2K vehicles some serious night-fighting muscles and an FCS that sounds like it belongs in the year 3000. This homegrown tech marvel is the brainchild of a collaboration between the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), Chennai.
By choosing to source the equipment and sub-systems from local manufacturers, the AVNL is not just giving these infantry combat vehicles a major upgrade; it’s also pumping up the volume on India’s self-reliance anthem. This deal is more than just a contract; it’s a declaration that India’s defence manufacturing ecosystem is ready to flex its muscles on the world stage.
