New Delhi has initiated a procurement program for 159 bulletproof troop carrier vehicles to strengthen the Indian Army’s Rashtriya Rifles counterinsurgency operations in India’s northeastern region.
Formed during the 1990s, the Rashtriya Rifles was created to enhance security in the mountainous areas of Jammu, Kashmir, and Ladakh along India’s borders with China and Pakistan.
According to local reports, a recently issued request for information seeks the delivery of nearly 60 vehicles annually once the contract is finalized. The acquisition will also support India’s “Make in India” and “Atmanirbhar Bharat” programs aimed at boosting indigenous manufacturing and reducing reliance on foreign defense suppliers.
The planned 4×4 armored carriers are expected to combine high mobility with enhanced troop protection while transporting weapons, ammunition, and communication systems. Specifications call for road speeds between 80 and 100 kilometers per hour, off-road mobility of 50 to 75 kilometers per hour, and operational ranges of up to 300 kilometers in rugged terrain and 350 kilometers on plains.
The vehicles must be capable of operating at altitudes of up to 5,000 meters and in harsh weather conditions ranging from -10 to 40 degrees Celsius, including snow-covered environments. New Delhi also requires the platforms to feature limited firing capability through firing ports and roof-mounted machine guns, enabling troops to engage threats while remaining protected.
