New Delhi: India has taken an important step in strengthening the Indian Army’s ability to operate in difficult terrain. L&T BvS10 Sindhu production has started at Hazira in Gujarat, as Larsen & Toubro (L&T) and BAE Systems begin manufacturing special all-terrain vehicles for the Indian Army.
According to the report, the Army has ordered 18 vehicles for deployment in Ladakh and the Kutch region. These vehicles are designed to support soldiers in extreme weather, snow, deserts and marshlands.
Details of Indian Army BvS10 Sindhu Programme
Larsen & Toubro and BAE Systems have started production of the BvS10 Sindhu articulated all-terrain vehicle at L&T’s manufacturing facility in Hazira, Gujarat. The programme brings together Indian manufacturing capabilities and the technical expertise of BAE Systems Hägglunds, the original developer of the BvS10 platform.
The partnership began in 2023, when the companies agreed to bring the BvS10 platform to India under the Make in India initiative. The Indian Army later placed an order for 18 vehicles.
According to the companies’ official announcement, L&T will manufacture the vehicles in India with technical and design support from BAE Systems Hägglunds.
Why Does The Indian Army Need BvS10 Sindhu Vehicles
The Indian Army operates in some of the world’s most challenging environments. Soldiers in Ladakh face extreme cold, heavy snow and high-altitude conditions, while the Kutch region presents different challenges, including deserts, marshlands and hot weather.
The BvS10 Sindhu is designed to move across these difficult landscapes. Its special tracked design helps it travel over snow, mud, sand, rocks and other uneven surfaces.
The vehicles are intended to improve troop mobility and help transport personnel and supplies in areas where ordinary military vehicles may struggle.
BvS10 Sindhu Can Operate In Extreme Weather
The vehicles are designed to support operations at altitudes of up to 18,000 feet in Ladakh. Temperatures in the region can fall to around minus 55 degrees Celsius during extreme winter conditions.
In the Kutch region, temperatures can reach approximately 55 degrees Celsius. The vehicles are also intended for movement across marshlands, desert areas and the Great Rann of Kutch.
Their ability to operate across different terrains makes them useful for military operations in both cold mountain regions and hot, difficult landscapes.
What Are the Features Of The BvS10 Sindhu All-Terrain Vehicle
The BvS10 Sindhu is an upgraded version of the BvS10 articulated all-terrain vehicle. It has been adapted to meet the Indian Army’s operational and environmental requirements. Its main capabilities include:
- All-Terrain Mobility: Its tracked design helps it move across snow, ice, sand, mud and rocky ground.
- High-Altitude Operations: It is designed to support military missions in high mountain regions such as Ladakh.
- Amphibious Capability: The BvS10 platform can move through water in suitable operating conditions.
- Personnel And Supply Transport: It can carry soldiers, equipment and supplies across difficult terrain.
- Extreme Climate Performance: The platform is designed for demanding environments, including very cold and hot regions.
- Adaptable Design: The wider BvS10 platform can be configured for different military roles, depending on the variant and equipment fitted.
These features are intended to help the Indian Army improve mobility and logistical support in remote border areas.
What Did L&T And BAE Systems Say
Arun Ramchandani, Senior Vice-President and Head of L&T Precision Engineering, described the start of production as an important milestone in the partnership.
He highlighted the companies’ shared focus on engineering quality, workplace safety and manufacturing standards. He also said the programme could support the Indian Armed Forces across different terrains, from the Kutch region to the high-altitude areas of Ladakh.
Tommy Gustafsson-Rask, President of BAE Systems Hägglunds, praised L&T’s engineering skills and manufacturing infrastructure. He described the partnership as strategic and said the BvS10 platform had demonstrated its mobility and protection capabilities in different operational environments.
BAE Systems has also confirmed that the Indian programme involves licensed manufacturing by L&T, supported by the original platform developer.
How The Indian Army BvS10 Sindhu Programme Supports Make In India
The BvS10 Sindhu programme is an example of cooperation between an Indian manufacturer and an international defence company.
Local production can help develop India’s defence manufacturing capabilities and build expertise in producing and supporting specialised military vehicles. It can also improve access to maintenance and long-term logistical support.
The partnership combines L&T’s manufacturing facilities with BAE Systems Hägglunds’ experience in all-terrain vehicle design. This supports India’s wider effort to strengthen domestic defence production.
Where Will The BvS10 Sindhu Vehicles Be Deployed
The 18 vehicles ordered by the Indian Army are scheduled for deployment in Ladakh and the Kutch region.
In Ladakh, they are expected to support operations in high-altitude areas with snow and extreme cold. In Kutch, they are intended to help soldiers move across desert and marshland terrain.
Their planned deployment reflects the need for vehicles that can operate in different environments along India’s sensitive border regions.
Read also: INS Samarthak Joins Indian Navy: 5 Key Facts About India’s New Warship
FAQs
The Indian Army has ordered 18 BvS10 Sindhu vehicles from the L&T and BAE Systems partnership, according to the October 28, 2026 report.
The BvS10 Sindhu is an articulated all-terrain military vehicle designed to carry soldiers, equipment and supplies across difficult landscapes, including snow, mud, sand and rocky ground.
The vehicles are scheduled for deployment in Ladakh and the Kutch region to support military operations across high-altitude terrain, snow, deserts and marshlands.
