In an effort to have a state-of-the-art main battle tank in the next two to three decades, which will be manufactured in India, the Army has floated a global tender or Request of Information (RFI) for ‘Future Ready Combat Vehicle.’ Foreign and domestic firms can respond to RFI till July 31 as the Army plans to phase out nearly 500 Russian-made T-72 tanks.
Interestingly, the tender was floated even as the Defence Research and Development Organsiation (DRDO) is working on this futuristic project and are at present engaged in technology development for the Future Main Battle Tank(FMBT). DRDO has successfully designed and developed Arjun main battle tank and its induction into the Army is on in a phased manner. The Army is also inducting T-90 tanks.
As regards the new tender, officials said here on Friday the best design will be chosen and given to nominated developing agency for production of the prototypes. The selected prototype will be given to production agency for bulk production. They also said DRDO can also take part in this bid.
However, Defence experts hold the view that if the Army goes in for a foreign tank, it will spoil the indigenous effort of nearly 30 years of designing and building the Arjun tank that can be used for making the next-generation tank.
Officials of Combat Vehicles Research and Development Establishment (CVRDE) of DRDO said the unit has a long term perspective plan for the Army and is working on the technology development. Combat Research Establishment is currently working on the Future Main Battle Tank project and DRDO officials hoped the defence ministry will look into the RFI as the Government’s focus is now on ‘Make in India.’