Indian army will upgrade entire fleet of Russian-made BMP-2 Sarath infantry fighting vehicle 1305133

a
 

Defence & Security News - India

 
 
Monday, May 13, 2013 11:29 AM
 
Indian army will upgrade its entire fleet of Russian-made BMP-2 Sarath infantry fighting vehicle.
The Indian Army will upgrade its entire Boyevaya Mashina Pekhoty-2 (BMP-2)/2K armoured infantry combat vehicle (AIFV) fleet in an effort to enhance their capability to address operational requirements, the country's defence minister AK Antony has announced.
     
The Indian Army will upgrade its entire Boyevaya Mashina Pekhoty-2 (BMP-2)/2K armoured infantry combat vehicle (AIFV) fleet in an effort to enhance their capability to address operational requirements, the country's defence minister AK Antony has announced.
Sarath Indian army BMP-2 Russian-made armoured infantry fighting vehicle
     

In the AIFV fleet, armament and firepower capability will be upgraded with the latest generation Fire Control System, Twin Missile Launchers and Commander's Thermal Imaging Panoramic sights. These ICVs will also be equipped with the latest generation Anti Tank Guided Missiles and Automatic Grenade Launchers.

The AIFV proposal for the armament upgrade of BMP-2/2K to BMP-2M and new power pack for BMP-2/2K will cost an estimated Rs. 8000 crore. The Indian army is seeking a powerpack with a minimum 380hp to replace the BMP-2 AIFV fleet's existing UTD-20 powerplant.

A second-generation amphibious AIFV, the BMP-2 is also called Sarath in the Indian Army's service, and is manufactured by Ordnance Factory Medak under license from Russia.

More than 1500 BMP-2s are currently operational with the army in various roles, such as armoured ambulance, armoured vehicle tracked light repair, armoured amphibious dozer (AAD), armoured engineer reconnaissance vehicle (AERV), NBC reconnaissance vehicle (NBCRV), carrier mortar tracked, and unmanned reconnaissance vehicle.

     

BMP-2 with Namica anti-tank missile
     
The chassis of BMP-2 is also modified and developed into versions such as the Nag anti-tank missile carrier (NAMICA) and the Akash air-defence missile system.
     

BMP-2 with Akash air defence missile system