India has selected BAE Systems Hägglunds’ BvS10 as its new articulated all-terrain tracked vehicle (AATV), marking the first time the platform will be fielded in Asia. Under the program, the Indian Army will procure 18 BvS10 “Sindhu” vehicles—all configured as troop-carrying variants—through a contract signed with Larsen & Toubro (L&T), which will oversee full production at its Armoured Systems Complex in Hazira, according to Breaking Defense. The agreement also includes design and technical support from BAE Systems, the original developer of the BvS10, as well as a comprehensive logistics support package to cover initial fielding, maintenance, and long-term sustainment. Deliveries of the vehicles are expected within two years. The move follows the Ministry of Defence’s 2022 search for AATVs capable of operating effectively in extreme environments such as high-altitude terrain, salt flats, and swampy regions. BAE and L&T formally proposed the BvS10 in September 2023, competing against the locally developed Talwar ATV from Prominent Comtech. The BvS10 ultimately emerged as the top choice. Production will align with the “Make in India” initiative, ensuring that over 60 percent of the vehicle’s components are domestically manufactured. This approach strengthens India’s defense industrial base and improves supply-chain security by reducing dependence on foreign suppliers. The BvS10 Sindhu variant has been customized for Indian Army requirements, including a 350-horsepower engine equipped with an upgraded turbocharger. During evaluations, the vehicle successfully operated at altitudes above 18,000 feet (5,486 meters). Its articulated twin-cab design allows it to traverse challenging terrains such as snow, mud, rocky surfaces, and steep mountain routes. Beyond troop transport, the vehicle can carry cargo, weapons, and mission equipment. As an amphibious platform, it is capable of moving through flooded regions and shallow coastal waters. Its modular design enables rapid reconfiguration for specialized missions such as command and control, medical evacuation, or enhanced situational awareness roles.
