India to order 156 new BMP-2 armored vehicles as Abhay FICV development stalls

A BMP-2 Sarath infantry combat vehicle of the Indian Army. Photo from India Ministry of I&B.

The Indian Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) confirmed with British defense media Jane’s that the Indian Ministry of Defence (MOD) is expected to order up to 156 new BMP-2 Sarath tracked amphibious armored vehicles for the Indian Army.

The vehicles are expected to be worth INR11.25 billion (US$148 million), and will be built under license by OFB’s Medak facility in Southern India, which has been building license built BMP-2s since 1987.

Delivery is expected to be made within 24 months from confirmation of order, and would cover for the delays in the development and production of the Abhay Futuristic Infantry Combat Vehicle (FICV) project. The Abhay FICV was suppose to replace the BMP-2 Sarath as the Indian Army’s main mechanized combat vehicle.

The BMP-2 Sarath is an Indian-spec model of the Soviet BMP-2 armored vehicle, and weighs around 14.3 tons and operated by a 3-man crew. It also has space for 7 fully equipped troops.

The vehicle is armed with a 2A32 30mm fully stabilized cannon, with a coaxial 7.62mm PKT machine gun. A 9Sh119M1 missile launcher is mounted on the turret, capable of firing the 9M113 Konkurs anti-tank missile.


[1] Jane’s
[2] Financial Express