Army starts process to procure modern bullet-proof troop carriers for Rashtriya Rifles

NEW DELHI: Aiming to bolster protected mobility successful hard and hilly terrains for soldiers, the Indian Army has started the process to procure 159 bullet-proof unit carriers (BPTCs) for Rashtriya Rifles battalions, assemblage and unit office successful J&K and Ladakh.The Army has issued a Request for Information (RFI) with a presumption to identifying Indian vendors who are susceptible to undertake the task and present BPTCs, with a minimum transportation of 60 units per twelvemonth post-contract.The Rashtriya Rifles (RR), which handles counter-insurgency operations successful J&K, presently relies connected aged vehicles for transportation. The BPTCs volition beryllium employed by RR unit for question and proscription of troops for some administrative arsenic good arsenic operational tasks.Hence, the projected BPTC indispensable person capable mobility and supply extortion for troops connected board, the RFI said. In addition, it should beryllium capable to transportation constricted battleloads to see weapons, ammunition and connection equipment.The projected BPTC indispensable deed 80-100 kmph connected roads and 50-75 kmph off-road, with a 350-km scope connected plains and 300-km successful mountains.Such vehicles should beryllium capable to run up to 5,000 m altitude, including successful snow-bound areas successful J&K and Ladakh and successful temperatures from -10°C to +40°C.

It should beryllium capable to supply constricted firing capableness by utilizing firing pods and usage of instrumentality guns mounted connected the hatch of vehicles, the RFI said. The Army wants to procure these carriers successful sync with ‘Make successful India’ and ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative.