Larsen & Toubro (L&T) has secured a significant contract from India’s Ministry of Defence to supply the Army with the BvS10 Sindhu, a heavily customized and Indianized variant of BAE Systems Hägglunds’ renowned BvS10 articulated all-terrain vehicle. This move represents a major push for indigenous defence manufacturing under the “Make in India” initiative.
The initial order covers 18 vehicles, but Army officials have indicated strong interest in acquiring over 100 more once the first batch proves its performance in extreme high-altitude and glacial conditions along India’s northern borders.
A senior L&T Defence executive told idrw.org that even with the initial small quantity, the first BvS10 Sindhu, expected to roll off the production line in 2027, will feature more than 60 percent indigenous content by value. This milestone has been achieved through extensive localization of electronics, communication systems, armour packages, and other critical sub-assemblies.
“This is not just a BvS10 with Indian paint,” the official said. “The Sindhu is a purpose-built variant co-developed with the Indian Army, incorporating numerous enhancements for operations in Ladakh, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh.”
Some of the key India-specific upgrades include:
- Engine tuning for reliable cold-start and high-altitude operation above 18,000 feet
- Integration of Indian-made Bharat Electronics tactical radios and battle-management systems
- Indigenous composite armour capable of withstanding 14.5 mm API rounds
- Locally developed thermal insulation and crew heating systems tested down to -45°C
- Upgraded electrical architecture to support future Indian active protection systems
Production will take place at L&T’s advanced Armoured Systems Complex in Hazira, Gujarat, the same facility producing K9 Vajra-T self-propelled howitzers and co-manufacturing hulls for the Zorawar light tank programme.
The first BvS10 Sindhu is slated for handover in 2027, with the full batch of 18 vehicles—including troop carriers, command posts, and logistics variants—expected by mid-2028. Army sources explained that the initial small order allows rapid field evaluation under real operational conditions in winter 2027–28. A significantly larger follow-on order is anticipated under a separate “Make-I” category project fully funded by the Ministry of Defence.
The BvS10 Sindhu emerged as the top choice after nearly five years of competitive trials, outperforming rival offerings from Russia (DT-30PM) and Singapore (Bronco 3) in mobility across snow-covered ridges, glacial streams, and boulder-strewn terrain in eastern Ladakh.
