India To Join Elite Armies With All-Terrain Vehicle: How L&T’s Indigenously Made BvS10 Sindhu Will Boost Power

Months after the high-tempo success of Operation Sindoor, the Indian Army has taken a decisive step to enhance its mobility in some of the world’s harshest battlefronts. The Army has placed an order for the BvS10 Sindhu, a customised all-terrain armoured vehicle designed specifically for India’s operational environment.

Signalling a strategic push to dominate high-altitude, marshy, desert and amphibious zones, Indian Army’s BvS10 Sindu order could become a game-changer for the Army’s operations. BAE Systems and L&T had in September 2023 partnered to bring the world-leading all-terrain vehicle – the BvS10 – to India.

The vehicle is currently in service in Austria, France, the Netherlands, Sweden, Ukraine, and the United Kingdom. It is also on order for the German Army. The armored BvS10 vehicles are built with protection against ballistics and anti-tank mines.

What makes the BvS10 Sindhu a game-changer for extreme terrain ops?

The BvS10 Sindhu is an India-tailored, upgraded variant of BAE Systems Hägglunds’ battle-proven BvS10 platform. Its articulated twin-cabin structure gives it a unique advantage across uneven ground, maintain stability on snow and ice, manoeuvre through deep sand, cross swamps and traverse water bodies,

This agility fills a critical gap in India’s mobility capabilities along the northern and eastern borders, where extreme terrain often restricts conventional armoured vehicles. Further, the spacious volume easily allows for the installation of inter-changeable equipment and hardware via the C-rail system.

What is BvS10 and what features make it stand apart?

It is an armoured, twin-body, amphibious vehicle that is designed to provide total operational support where other vehicles cannot. Capable of rapidly traversing terrain that would hinder other all-terrain vehicles, the BvS10 provides its crew with a go-anywhere ability that increases survivability.

Moreover, the vehicle’s go-anywhere ability allows maintaining operational tempo for rapid response and out-flanking of enemy units.

How will local production strengthen our defence ecosystem?

The contract has been jointly secured by Larsen & Toubro (L&T) and BAE Systems, with production slated to take place at L&T’s Armoured Systems Complex in Hazira. The India-specific manufacturing model includes full technical and design support from BAE Systems Hägglunds, ensuring seamless technology absorption and capability transfer.

Alongside the vehicles, the contract includes a complete integrated logistics support package, covering initial deployment, maintenance, spare support and long-term sustainment. This ensures the Army gets not just a platform but a full ecosystem to keep the fleet battle-ready across its service life.

How will BvS10 Sindu boost Army’s edge on the battlefield?

With the induction of the BvS10 Sindhu, the Army gains a significant tactical edge: the ability to rapidly mobilise forces in terrain previously deemed near-impossible for armoured movement. This enhances survivability and response time in high-altitude conflict zones; troop mobility during counter-infiltration or rapid deployment missions; logistical and humanitarian reach.

BAE Systems Hägglunds Managing Director Tommy Gustafsson Rask noted, the Sindhu’s “unmatched mobility, flexibility, and performance in extreme climatic conditions” align perfectly with the Army’s modernisation goals.

By integrating this platform, the Indian Army signals its intent to dominate future high-altitude and multi-terrain operations.