Defence Ministry releases RFP for procurement of 439 Light Vehicles

New Delhi: The Ministry of Defence has released RFP for the procurement of 439 Light Vehicles (Electric). 415 of these electric light vehicles will be procured for the Indian Army while 24 will be given to the Indian Air Force (IAF).

Apart from this, the defence ministry will also procure 35 fast chargers for these electric light vehicles of which 29 will go to the Indian Army and 6 to the IAF.

The apex leadership will also brainstorm current / emerging security scenario and review operational preparedness of Indian Army. 

These electric light vehicles will be procured under the "Buy (Indian-IDDM)" category with at least 50% indigenous content.

According to the conditions set down by the ministry of defence in the RFP, these electric light vehicles should be capable of reaching speeds of up to 120 kmph and have a range of 400 km.

These vehicles should also be able to carry payloads of 900 kg and have a motor life of at least 8 years or 160,000 km.

The Indian Army intends to conduct field evaluation trials with suppliers that submit bids. In order to attain net zero carbon emissions, the Indian Army plans to replace its current fleet of Light vehicles with electric ones that are powered by Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) technology.

Light Vehicles are authorised to formations/units of the Indian Army and Indian Air Force to provide requisite mobility in terrains as prevalent in the country. 

The present fleet of Light Vehicles of IA and IAF are based on the Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) tech which is dependent on fossil fuels and leads to carbon emissions and resultant pollution.

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