India is moving closer to replacing its ageing BMP-2 infantry combat vehicles with a new generation of indigenous armoured platforms developed under the Future Infantry Combat Vehicle (FICV) programme. The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has unveiled Advanced Armoured Platforms featuring amphibious capability, crewless turrets, anti-tank missiles, drone integration and enhanced battlefield protection.
Massive Modernisation Drive
The ₹60,000 crore programme is expected to become one of India’s biggest military modernisation projects, with an initial requirement of nearly 1,750 tracked vehicles that could eventually expand beyond 3,500 platforms including wheeled variants and reserves. Designed for deserts, plains, rivers and mountainous terrain, the vehicles are aimed at addressing the challenges of modern warfare dominated by drones, electronic warfare, precision strikes and loitering munitions.
Industry Participation
Defence companies including Tata Advanced Systems, Bharat Forge, L&T, Mahindra Defence and AVNL are competing in the programme as part of India’s broader “Make in India” defence push. The FICV programme underscores India's commitment to self-reliance in defence manufacturing, with indigenous design and production expected to boost the domestic industrial ecosystem.
The new platforms are designed to operate in diverse environments, from the Thar Desert to the Brahmaputra riverine plains and the high-altitude regions of Ladakh. Their amphibious capability allows them to cross water obstacles without external support, enhancing operational flexibility. The crewless turret reduces the risk to soldiers, while integrated anti-tank missiles and drone compatibility provide a significant edge in network-centric warfare.
With the global battlefield increasingly shaped by unmanned systems and electronic warfare, the FICV programme aims to equip the Indian Army with a modern, survivable, and lethal platform. The programme is expected to span over a decade, with prototypes undergoing rigorous trials before full-scale production begins.
