India Signs Contract with L&T to Build BAE Systems's BvS10 ‘Sindhu’ All-Terrain Vehicles in India

In a significant push toward modernising high-altitude mobility, the Indian Army has signed a contract with Larsen & Toubro (L&T) for the procurement and indigenous production of the BvS10 ‘Sindhu’ all-terrain articulated tracked vehicle. The project, executed in collaboration with BAE Systems Hägglunds, marks a major milestone under India’s ongoing emphasis on defence indigenisation.

Contract Finalised, Production to Begin in Hazira

According to officials, the BvS10 Sindhu vehicles will be manufactured at L&T’s Armoured Systems Complex in Hazira, Gujarat, with full technical and design support from BAE Systems Hägglunds — the original developer of the global BvS10 platform. The model supplied to India will be customised to meet the Army’s specific requirements in snow-bound, high-altitude, marshy, and desert regions.

The contract is expected to significantly strengthen the Army’s logistics and operational reach along the Ladakh, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh frontiers, where terrain has remained a persistent challenge.

Built for Terrain Where Roads Don’t Exist

The BvS10 Sindhu is a fully amphibious, twin-cabin articulated vehicle designed to operate in extreme environments. Its low ground pressure and wide rubber tracks allow it to traverse terrain where conventional wheeled or tracked vehicles struggle.

Officials said the platform will be deployed for troop transport, logistics missions, casualty evacuation, and disaster relief, especially in areas where mobility is frequently disrupted by snow, landslides, or floods.

Technical Specifications of BvS10 ‘Sindhu’

Defence sources confirm that the Indian variant retains the BvS10’s core architecture while including modifications for Indian terrain. Key specifications include:

• Configuration: Articulated twin-unit tracked vehicle

• Engine: ~285 hp diesel engine

• Crew & Capacity: Up to 12 personnel

• Top Speed: ~65 km/h on road; ~5 km/h in water

• Range: 200–400 km depending on terrain

• Amphibious Capability: Full swim capability for river crossings and floods

• Protection: STANAG-level ballistic and mine protection

• Payload Capacity: Up to 5 tonnes across both cabins

• Roles: Command, ambulance, troop carrier, cargo, and specialised mission modules

The Sindhu’s articulated steering joint allows it to negotiate tight turns, steep gradients, and broken ground — a critical advantage in mountainous sectors.

Strategic Importance for India’s Northern Borders

Analysts note that the induction of the BvS10 Sindhu comes at a time of continued deployment along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). Winter logistics remain a recurring challenge, and the new vehicles are expected to dramatically improve access to posts located in deep snow regions.

The platform will also reduce the Army’s dependence on helicopters for routine logistics and evacuation tasks during adverse weather, improving sustainability and safety.

Boost for Indigenous Defence Ecosystem

The programme will deepen India’s industrial capabilities by building a domestic technology and supply-chain base for extreme-terrain vehicles. L&T’s Hazira complex is expected to support future upgrades, locally manufactured spares, and possible export-oriented variants.

Officials described the move as “a forward-looking investment that enhances operational capability while strengthening India’s indigenous manufacturing footprint.”

Delivery Timeline

While official delivery schedules have not been disclosed, production is expected to start soon, with initial batches likely within the next two to three years. The Indian Army is expected to field the Sindhu across its northern and eastern high-altitude commands once induction begins.