Army plans to buy wheeled AFVs for recce along the western front

Tanks vs AFVs

• Unlike tanks, wheeled AFV are relatively lightly armoured thus allowing them better manoeuverability

• These are meant for reconnaissance, surveillance and other support activities

Vijay Mohan

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, December 5

Over a decade after the last wheeled armoured fighting vehicle (AFV) was phased out from its service, the Army has projected a fresh requirement for such vehicles to meet its operational requirements in the plains.

A request for information (RFI) floated by the Directorate General of Mechanised Forces at the Army Headquarters last week states the Army is planning to procure 198 wheeled AFV for employment in its recce and support battalions.

These vehicles are most likely to be inducted into the Brigade of The Guards, which has recce and support functions. Though raised as conventional infantry after Independence, Brigade of The Guards is now fully mechanised, making it the second regiment after the Mechanised Infantry to operate AFVs.

The RFI specifically states that the AFVs will be employed in Punjab and Rajasthan sectors. These will be required to operate cross-country as well as in developed terrain interspersed with rivers and canals.

The Army’s requirement is for an amphibious, 4-crew vehicle with an 8×8 configuration equipped with two twin anti-tank guided missile launchers along with a 30 mm main gun, a secondary 7.62 mm machinegun, smoke grenade discharges, laser detection and warning system and adequate armour protection and defence against nuclear, chemical and biological contamination.

Unlike tanks, wheeled AFV are relatively lightly armoured. These are meant for reconnaissance, surveillance and other support activities where manoeuverability and stealth take precedence over firepower.

The Army had earlier operated different variants of Soviet-origin wheeled AFVs like the 4×4 BDRM and 8×8 BTR 60/80. These began entering service in the 1970s and remained in service till mid-2000s.

According to officers, wheeled AFVs have several advantages over their tracked counterparts when employed for recce and support roles and there are a number of contingencies, such as in counter-insurgency operations, built-up areas and riverine terrain, where the faster wheeled vehicles perform the task in a more effective and efficient manner.

They are also better suited for operations in hilly areas and it is easier to transport them as they can simply be driven on roads or through field without causing surface damage. Wheeled AFVs are also easier to maintain in the field.