Hazira (Gujarat) [India], October 28 (ANI): Larsen & Toubro (L&T) and BAE Systems on Wednesday commenced production of the BvS10 Sindhu articulated all-terrain vehicle for the Indian Army at Hazira in Surat, with the 18 vehicles ordered by the Army scheduled for deployment in Ladakh and the Kutch region.
The vehicles are designed to support high-altitude operations at elevations of up to 18,000 feet in Ladakh, where temperatures can fall to minus 55 degrees Celsius amid extreme winter and snow conditions. In Kutch, they will be used for troop patrolling across marshlands, desert areas and the Great Rann, where temperatures can reach 55 degrees Celsius.
Arun Ramchandani, Senior Vice-President and Head of L&T Precision Engineering, described the production launch as the beginning of a long-term partnership with BAE Systems.
“I think this is a momentous occasion for us. Since we signed this agreement in 2023, we've come a long way. We've won a program together, and it did take a lot of belief and trust in each other to reach this far. And to my mind, this is just the beginning of a great future together,” Ramchandani said.
He highlighted the shared emphasis on engineering excellence and workplace safety, adding that the production launch marked the beginning of the manufacturing journey for the BvS10 Sindhu.
“That said, today marks the journey of production of the BvS10 Sindhu. It's a marvel of engineering, and we are proud to be associated with BAE Hägglunds, the developer and creator of this wonderful platform,” he said.
Ramchandani said the vehicle could serve the Indian Armed Forces across different terrains and operational requirements, from the deserts and marshlands of Kutch to the high-altitude areas of Ladakh.
“I think this platform is one which has multiple possibilities. It is something that can be exploited by the Indian Army in its various facets and the various roles that it can be deployed for. From the Rann of Kutch to the heights of Leh, this is a vehicle which can serve the Indian Armed Forces,” he said.
He added that the two companies would work towards large-scale production while maintaining engineering standards.
“I think together we will build it on a large scale, with large capacity, and with the perfection and engineering excellence that you have designed and brought into it,” Ramchandani said.
Tommy Gustafsson-Rask, President of BAE Systems Hägglunds, said the BvS10 had been deployed by several countries and had demonstrated its capabilities in conflict situations.
“The vehicle is used by many countries, and we have the predecessor, the old Bv206, that was sold in more than 11,000 units. The BvS10 here now is probably sold in 2,500 units that are in operation. It has been out in war scenarios, proven to protect the soldiers. But foremost, it's the mobility,” he said.
Explaining the vehicle's suitability for India's varied terrain, Gustafsson-Rask said its mobility, combined with protection for soldiers, had been demonstrated in different operational environments.
“You can go—in your beautiful country, for example, where you have all terrains, from high-altitude snow, marshlands, and also the ability to swim. So, I think the mobility in combination with protection for the soldiers has been proven in many cases,” he said.
Asked about the vehicle's performance in the ongoing conflict in Europe, Gustafsson-Rask said it was being used in limited numbers in Ukraine and that the company had received positive feedback.
“It's used in very few samples in Ukraine for the moment, but we get very positive feedback,” he said.
On the partnership with L&T, Gustafsson-Rask described it as strategic and praised the Indian company's engineering capabilities and production infrastructure.
“For me, the partnership with L&T is a strategic partnership. I have seen here today in the visit that L&T is a high-skilled engineering company being able to adapt the BvS10 for the Indian requirement,” he said.
He also praised L&T's manufacturing capacity, production engineering, safety practices and quality standards, saying the company would be an excellent partner in producing the capability for the Indian Army.
The BvS10 Sindhu's planned deployment in Ladakh and Kutch is intended to support military operations across snow-covered high-altitude terrain, marshlands and desert areas. (ANI)
L&T begins production of BvS10 Sindhu ATVs for Indian Army, vehicles to be deployed along China, Pakistan borders
