Question : Upgradation Programme of Tanks

(a) whether the Government has started the process for evaluation of upgradation programme of 1500 BMP-2/2K tanks with anti-tank guided missile systems and engines for the Indian Army;

(b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;

(c) whether the Government has floated a global request for information (RFI) to seek participation by domestic and global defence companies in the upgrade programme and if so, the details thereof;

(d) whether the Indian defence companies have already started trying up with overseas defence majors in the run up to the formal tender to upgrade 1500 BMP-2 Infantry Combat Vehicles; and

(e) if so, the details thereof and the time by which the Government will start the process for evaluation?

MINISTER OF STATE (DR. SUBHASH BHAMRE)
IN THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE
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(a) to (c): A Request for Information (RFI) giving out broad details of the scheme was floated by the Indian Army, in June 2016, to the Indian vendors for Comprehensive upgrade of qty 1500 x BMP-2/2Ks(Infantry Combat Vehicles). The upgrades include anti-tank guided missile systems and engines.

(d) & (e): In response to RFI, nearly all of the Indian vendors have indicated an arrangement with overseas defence majors for carrying out Comprehensive upgrades of BMP-2/2Ks. This process will broadly follow the timeline indicated in Defence Procurement Procedure (DPP) 2016.
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