Army issues RFI to procure Protected Mobility Vehicles for high-altitude areas

New Delhi: Indian Army has issued a Request For Information or RFI for procurement of Protected Mobility Vehicle (PMV) for high altitude areas (above 4000m). It plans to buy 500 such vehicles for high altitudes to keep the focus firmly on securing the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the Himalayas.

In the RFI, the army spelt out the operational characteristics of the vehicles it needs for high altitudes with details such as ballistic protection, payload capacity, speed, operating temperature, firing ports and operating altitude.

According to the issued RFI, the Protected Mobility Vehicles will have to be a wheeled, 4×4 drive mode vehicle with automatic transmission, and a minimum seating capacity of 10 soldiers excluding driver and co-driver – all with combat loads not less than 30 kg.

The RFI said the PMV should optimally function in temperatures ranging from 40˚C to minus 15˚C. As per the document, the Army seeks protection against mine blasts and grenade blasts. It should have a platform to mount a 7.62mm light machine gun and have ports on its sides to allow troops sitting inside to fire.

The MoD officials said that the army also requires standard PMVs for deployment at heights less than 4,000 meters.

Protected Mobility Vehicles (PMVs)

The PMV is an armoured personnel carrier. It provides protection to the soldiers travelling inside the vehicle from mine blasts and sudden attacks or ambushes by small arms. PMVs are used to carry quick reaction team personnel or patrolling parties in the border areas, or a reconnaissance squad operating behind the enemy lines or in forwarding positions of their own troops.

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