South Korean defense manufacturer Hyundai Rotem has expressed its willingness to produce more than 2,000 units of the Future Ready Combat Vehicle (FRCV) under the ‘Make in India’ policy if it is awarded the five billion dollar contract for the same, The Financial Express reports. The Indian Army is looking to procure FRCV units to replace 2,414 of its ageing T-72 tanks. It is expected that the force would be able to induct these MBTs between 2025-27.

Indian army T-72 Ajeya main battle tank produced under Russian license in India, to be replaced by the Future Ready Combat Vehicle (FRCV) (Picture source: Wikipedia)

Hyundai Rotem is one of the defense manufacturers which responded to the Request for Information (RFI) sent out by the Directorate General Mechanised Forces (DGMF). The document stated that the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) must agree to a transfer of technology, and its platform should include 40 % indigenous content. “The Company is now waiting to have a second round of meeting with the Directorate General Mechanised Forces (DGMF), which is expected to take place next month in New Delhi", said the company’s top executives. The foreign manufacturer which receives the contract will have to produce the FRCV in collaboration with an Indian Strategic Partner.

The FRCV which the Indian wants has to match the capabilities of the likes of the Russian T-14 Armata, French Leclerc, Ukrainian Oplot and the South Korean K2 Black Panther main battle tanks. Other foreign companies which responded to the RFI apart from Hyundai Rotem include BAE Systems, General Dynamics Land Systems, and Nexter, among others.