Indian Army’s Armoured Fighting Vehicles

Indian Armoured Fighting Vehicles

Guys, did you know what armoured fighting vehicles are ? How many kinds of AFVs does India have ? If you don’t then this article is for you which contains every information about armoured battle vehicles.

First let us know What Armoured fighting Vehicles are ?

An armoured fighting vehicle (AFV) is an armed combat vehicle protected by armour, generally combining operational mobility with offensive and defensive capabilities. They can be wheeled or tracked. Tanks, armoured cars, assault guns/armoured self-propelled guns, infantry fighting vehicles and armoured personnel carriers (APC) are all examples of AFVs.

Know what are Unmanned ground vehicles ?

How many Armoured Fighting Vehicles does India have ?

Armoured fighting vehicles are classified according to their characteristics and intended role on the battlefield.

India have 5 different categories for Armoured Fighting Vehicles

  • Main Battle Tanks
  • Infantry Fighting Vehicles
  • Armoured Personnel Carrier
  • Armoured Cars
  • Self Propelled Howitzers

What are Main Battle Tanks of Armoured fighting vehicles ?

Armoured Fighting Vehicles

A main battle tank (MBT), also known as a “battle tank” or “universal tank”, is a tank that fulfils the role of armour-protected direct fire and manoeuvre of many modern armies. Main battle tanks are considered a key component of modern armies. Modern tanks operate alone, as they are organised into armoured units which involve the support of infantry, who may accompany them in infantry fighting vehicles. They are also often supported by surveillance or ground-attack aircraft.

List of Indian Main Battle Tanks :-

  • Arjun Mk 1
  • Arjun Mk 1A
  • Arjun Mk 2
  • T-90S 
  • T-72M1 
  • Tank EX 
  • Vijayanta 

What are Infantry Fighting Vehicles ?

Indian-Infantry-fighting-vehicles

An infantry fighting vehicle (IFV), also known as a mechanised infantry combat vehicle (MICV), is a type of armoured fighting vehicle used to carry infantry into battle and provide direct-fire support.

They often serve both as the principal weapons system and as the mode of transport for a mechanised infantry unit. Infantry fighting vehicles are distinct from armoured personnel carriers (APCs), which are transport vehicles armed only for self-defence and not specifically engineered to fight on their own. They are designed to be more mobile than tanks and are equipped with a rapid-firing autocannon or a large conventional gun; they may include side ports for infantrymen to fire their personal weapons while on board.

List of Indian Infantry Fighting Vehicles :- 

  • Abhay IFV 
  • BMP-1
  • BMP-2
  • DRDO light tank 
  • TATA FICV
  • Mahindra FICV 

What are Armoured Personnel Carriers ?

Indian-Armoured-Personnel-Carrier

An armoured personnel carrier (APC) is a broad type of armoured military vehicle designed to transport personnel and equipment in combat zones. 

They are designed and equipped to transport a combat infantry squad which is armed with an integral or organic weapon of less than 20 millimetres calibre. They have less armament and are not designed to provide direct fire support in battle.

List of Armoured Personnel Carrier :- 

  • Carrier Mortar Tracked 
  • DRDO Armoured Engineer Reconnaissance Vehicle 
  • TATA Kestrel 
  • VRDE Light Armoured Vehicle 
  • Kartik BLT 

What are Armoured Cars ?

Indian Armoured Cars

A military armored (or armoured) car is a lightweight wheeled armoured fighting vehicle, historically employed for reconnaissance, internal security, armed escort, and other subordinate battlefield tasks. The armoured car remained popular due to its faster speed, comparatively simplified maintenance and low production cost.

List of Armoured Cars :-

  • Armoured Carrier Wheeled Indian Pattern 
  • Land Rover 1515F
  • Mahindra Rakshak
  • Mahindra Striker 
  • Mahindra Marksman
  • Mahindra Axe 
  • Mahindra Mine Protected Vehicle 
  • Mahindra Armoured Light Specialist Vehicle 
  • TATA LSV
  • TATA LAMV 
  • TATA Mine Protected Vehicle 
  • OFB MPV 1
  • OFB MPV 2
  • EME 515 Windy & Tuffy & Takshak & Gypsy

What are Self-propelled Howitzer ?

Indian Self Propelled Howitzers

Self-propelled artillery (also called locomotive artillery) is artillery equipped with its own propulsion system to move toward its firing position. Within the terminology are the self-propelled gun, self-propelled howitzer, self-propelled mortar, and rocket artillery. They are high mobility vehicles, usually based on continuous tracks carrying either a large field gun, howitzer, mortar, or some form of rocket/missile launcher. They are usually used for long-range indirect bombardment support on the battlefield.

List Of Indian Self-propelled Howitzer :-

  • HT-130 Catapult 
  • Bhim self-propelled howitzer 
  • OFB 105mm SPG 
  • L & T Self-propelled howitzer 
  • Kalyani Self-propelled howitzer 
  • Tata Self-propelled howitzer 

Reference from :- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_armoured_fighting_vehicles_by_country#India