India: Defence council clears order for BMP-2 and -2K combat vehicles.

On 20 February, the Indian Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, approved capital acquisition proposals worth 9.2 billion rupees ($150 million), which primarily includes purchasing 149 BMP-2/2K Infantry Combat Vehicles for the army.

Indian army BMP-2 Sarath (Picture source: Wikipedia).

This programme is an addition to the BMP-2 fleet modernization expressed in 2013, when it was announced that the Indian Army would 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 149 BMP-2/2K infantry combat vehicles (ICV) for the mechanised infantry and other arms and service will be manufactured under the licence provided by Russia, according to the online version of the Economic Times daily. The Ordnance Factory Board – a government-owned dre and upgrade the in-service ones.

The Indian army is said to have about 980 BMP-2 Sarath IFVs, produced under a – then – Soviet licence, and 125 BMP-2K IFVs. The BMP-2K is a command vehicle derivative of the baseline BMP-2 IFV. Two shortwave whip antennas mounted on the rear of its hull set it apart from the baseline model. In addition, a long-distance antenna can be erected at the halt. The derivative’s troop compartment is smaller due to the extra communications equipment. The weapons sefense contractor – will implement the whole manufacturing process. The deal’s value is estimated at 9.2 billion rupees ($150 million). Originally, India planned to order 363 vehicles mouite – the 30-mm 2A42 automatic gun and 7.62-mm PKT machinegun – remains unchanged. The BMP-2K has a road speed of 65 km/h and an endurance of 600 km. It is powered by a 300-hp engine.