New Delhi, October 29, 2026. BAE Systems and Larsen & Toubro (L&T) have commenced licensed production of the BvS10 Sindhu articulated all-terrain vehicle for the Indian Army, marking a significant step in the British defence major’s expanding industrial partnership with India.
Production began on October 28 at L&T’s Armoured Systems Complex in Hazira, Gujarat, where a ceremony was held in the presence of senior executives from both companies. The initial batch comprises 18 vehicles ordered by the Indian Army in November 2025, with deliveries scheduled to begin in March 2027. The first batch is expected to be completed by December 2027.
Technology Transfer
The programme is being undertaken through technology transfer, with L&T manufacturing the vehicles under licence and receiving technical and design support from BAE Systems HƤgglunds, the original developer of the BvS10 platform.
Darren Restarick MBE, Regional Director of BAE Systems HƤgglunds, said the company had incorporated modifications to the original BvS10 design to meet the specific operational requirements of the Indian military.
Tommy Gustafsson-Rask, President of BAE Systems HƤgglunds, said the partnership with L&T represented a strategic cooperation for the production and supply of the vehicle to the Indian Army. He pointed out that the BvS10 was a battle-proven platform that had protected soldiers during operations.
Designed for India’s Challenging Terrain
The BvS10 Sindhu is an India-specific adaptation of the established BvS10 family of articulated all-terrain vehicles. It has been configured to operate across some of the most demanding geographical and climatic conditions, including high-altitude mountain regions, snowfields, deserts, marshlands and amphibious environments.
The vehicle is intended to support Indian Army operations along the northern and western borders, including in Ladakh and the Kutch region. Its high-altitude operating capability is particularly significant, with the platform designed to function at elevations of up to 18,000 feet, where extreme cold, difficult terrain and limited accessibility pose substantial challenges to military logistics and mobility.
The BvS10’s articulated configuration enables its two connected vehicle sections to negotiate uneven ground, steep gradients and unstable surfaces. Its mobility extends across snow, ice, rocks, sand, mud and swamps, while its amphibious capability allows it to negotiate suitable waterways and flooded areas.
Varied Operational Capabilities
The vehicle can transport troops, equipment and supplies, while also providing the flexibility to accommodate different operational requirements. The wider BvS10 family includes configurations for troop transport, command and control, ambulance, logistics, repair and recovery, and fire support.
The Sindhu variant has already undergone a series of demanding trials, demonstrating its performance in both sea-level and high-altitude environments.
Scope for More Orders
While the initial contract covers 18 vehicles, L&T believes the programme could expand significantly as the Indian Army considers the platform for a wider range of operational roles.
Arun Ramchandani, Senior Vice-President and Head of Precision Engineering at L&T, expressed confidence that the vehicle could be inducted in larger numbers beyond the initial order.
He said the Army had indicated that the platform could be deployed in different roles and quantities, although the exact numbers had not yet been specified.
L&T Upgrades Manufacturing Processes
L&T has also upgraded its Armoured Systems Complex with automated manufacturing processes to support production expansion, should additional orders materialise.
For BAE Systems, the programme offers an opportunity to establish a stronger manufacturing and technology partnership in India, rather than simply supply an imported defence platform.
BAE Systems Deepens Engagement with India
The BvS10 Sindhu programme is part of BAE Systems’ broader strategy to deepen its engagement with India’s defence industry through technology transfer, indigenous manufacturing, supplier development and co-production.
A key element of this approach is the development of Indian engineering and manufacturing capabilities. The company emphasised that technology transfer should go beyond the transfer of drawings and technical documentation to include manufacturing skills, engineering expertise and the ability to develop and produce systems in India.
Tony Walton, Managing Director, India, BAE Systems, had earlier highlighted that India was increasingly being viewed as an important industrial partner and a potential manufacturing and export hub for the company’s global operations. BAE Systems is looking to build on its existing engagement with India through programmes such as the Hawk Advanced Jet Trainer and M777 Ultra Lightweight Howitzer, while exploring further opportunities in land systems, air defence, ammunition production and maritime capabilities.
Developing Local Supplier Base
The company also sees considerable potential in strengthening India’s participation in its international supply chain. Components sourced from Indian companies for the M777 programme are already supporting global requirements, demonstrating the growing capabilities of the country’s manufacturing sector.
The commencement of BvS10 Sindhu production is therefore more than the start of a new manufacturing programme. It represents an opportunity to expand its industrial footprint in India, develop local suppliers and potentially integrate Indian manufacturing capabilities into its global defence supply chain.
The initial order of 18 vehicles may be modest, but the programme’s future expansion could give the partnership a much larger role in India’s evolving defence manufacturing ecosystem.
