by Charlie Gao
The Indian Army is 1 of the largest operators of Russian tanks inwards the world. According to IISS, it currently fields nearly 2000 T-72s of diverse variants as well as nearly 1000 T-90Ss. But the older T-72s are aging, despite efforts to modernize them. To supercede them, Republic of Republic of India has launched the novel Future Ready Combat Vehicle (FRCV) program. This plan aims to supercede the T-72 inwards Indian service. The Indian Ministry of Defense (MoD) submitted a Request for Information (RFI) inwards 2017. The possible value of the FRCV plan is rattling large, Republic of Republic of India expects to larn unopen to 1700 of the selected tank.
The requirements for FRCV are listed inwards the RFI. One interesting requirement is weight: the FRCV is non to move past times 57.5 tons. The written report likewise suggests that the armament move a 120 millimeter or 125 millimeter main gun, which should move able to penetrate 650 millimeter of armor at 2 kilometers as well as burn downward at a minimum charge per unit of measurement of half dozen rounds per minute.
The RFI likewise lists detailed requirements for the sight, some of which include novel technology. Both the commander as well as gunner’s sights must get got the capability to rails targets automatically. Interesting, a thermal channel is non listed equally a requirement for the stabilized commander sight. It is required for the gunner’s sight.
Protection wise, the RFI requires the tank to get got unopen to 800 millimeter RHAe resistance inwards the frontal arc, get got an active protection organisation as well as multispectral smoke launchers. Interesting, the RFI requires all ammunition to move stored alongside “suitable security measures”. Blow-out panels are listed equally an event of what such measures mightiness be.
Mobility wise, the FRCV is mandated to get got a horsepower to ton ratio of 25:1, as well as get got an engine of at to the lowest degree 1500 horsepower. An auxiliary powerfulness unit of measurement is likewise required, 1 alongside plenty powerfulness to move mission critical systems (navigation, sights, communications) for half dozen hours.
In improver to the technical requirements, the RFI requires that the winner engage inwards “comprehensive” transfer of engineering scientific discipline regarding the pattern as well as manufacture of the winning vehicle. This includes “obsolescence management, life extension, as well as subsequent integration” efforts that would involve the winning vehicle.
So what vehicles inwards the footing currently fit these requirements?
Russia’s T-14 Armata forthwith appears to move the front-runner inwards the FRCV competition. Early inwards Oct 2018, Indian Army Chief General Bipin Rawat went to Russian Federation for a six-day watch to strengthen defense forcefulness ties alongside Russia. While it has non been officially confirmed, both The Diplomat , The Economic Times and Sputnik News have speculated that the T-14’s house inwards FRCV was a quest of give-and-take during the visit.
The T-14 is an ideal tank for FRCV since its technical characteristics fit those of the FRCV’s requirements. Unlike Western tanks, it’s good nether the weight boundary at 48 tons. It possesses a high pressure level 125 millimeter gun that tin mail away burn downward advanced rounds that tin mail away penetrate inwards excess of 650 millimeter alongside APFSDS projectiles. It likewise possesses advanced sighting systems that come across the FRCV’s requirements.
However, at that topographic point may move a large blocker when it comes to Armata’s alternative for FRCV. Sputnik’s quotes the entire bargain to get got a cost tag of 4.5 billion dollars, which would average to unopen to 2.5 billion per tank. The cost of the Armata is quoted equally beingness 4 millionper tank, which would lay it inwards a higher house what Republic of Republic of India mightiness move willing to pay for the tank.
But the other tanks that are presumably beingness considered for the FRCV are fifty-fifty worse inwards these aspects. The K2 Black Panther squeaks nether the weight boundary at 55 tons, but it costs a whopping 7.5 1 one 1000 thousand per tank, nearly 3 times what Republic of Republic of India mightiness move willing to pay.
The Ukrainian BM Oplot mightiness move cheaper, piece likewise fulfilling the weight limit, but it’s unsure whether the Ukrainians tin mail away deliver APFSDS ammunition that fulfills the requirement. The ho-hum delivery of Oplot-Ts to Thailand may likewise cast doubtfulness on the powerfulness for Ukrainian manufacture to deliver the tanks inwards a timely manner.
There’s likewise the looming threat of American sanctions. Since the USA has threatened to utilize sanctions to Republic of Republic of India if it buys S-400s, the same threat may utilize to Armata if applied to the FRCV deal. Republic of Republic of India seems willing to get got or attempt to negotiate unopen to the S-400 sanctions however, thus they’re probable to create the same alongside the Armata if it is selected.
Charlie Gao studied political as well as figurer scientific discipline at Grinnell College as well as is a frequent commentator on defense forcefulness as well as national-security issues.
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