Army sets sight of 400 well-armed high mobility reconnaissance vehicles

To beef up the battlefield surveillance and intelligence gathering capabilities of its mechanised formations, the Indian Army has set its sights on procuring 400 high mobility reconnaissance vehicles (HMRV) that would be equipped with state-of-the-art surveillance equipment as well as drones and loiter munitions.

The Army, at present, has 67 armoured regiments equipped with tanks like the T-72 and T-90. In addition, the Mechanised Infantry Regiment with 27 battalions and Brigade of The Guards with 22 battalions are equipped with armoured infantry combat vehicles like the BMP-2/3. The HMRVs would be the eyes and ears of these units, scouting the area ahead and sending back tactical information.

“The procurement of HMRV is intended for augmenting the capabilities of armoured regiments and recce and support (wheeled) battalions of the Mechanised Infantry. Hence, the proposed HMRV must possess adequate manoeuvrability and provide ballistic protection for troops on board,” a request for information floated by the Ministry of Defence on July 3 states.

The HMRV should be able to integrate surveillance, beyond-line-of-sight targeting and communication equipment like software defined radios, unmanned aerial vehicles, tethered drones, loiter munitions, identification of friend and foe system and situation awareness system. It should also have the provision to mount 7.62 mm or 12.7 mm machine guns on a hatch or cupola with 360 degrees traversing capability, besides modular racks or brackets for stowage of battle and personal loads.

The HMRV, with mandatory four-wheel drive and seating capacity for at least four troops, will be employed for on-road and cross country movement in plains and desert terrain as occurring along the western borders of India as well as in mountainous terrain and high-altitude areas up to 16,000 feet, including snow-bound areas along the northern borders in eastern Ladakh and north Sikkim.

Conducting recce missions by day and night and in commonly encountered weather conditions in different terrains and operating in temperatures ranging from -30°C to 50°C are other parameters laid down by the Army.

The Army has been employing HMRVs by modifying existing light vehicles like the Gypsy and Thar. Several Indian defence manufacturing firms have also showcased HMRVs and four-wheeled light utility vehicles, some of which are already in service.

India