Abhay IFV
| Abhay | |
|---|---|
 Mild steel prototype of the Abhay | |
| Type | Infantry Combat Vehicle |
| Place of origin | India |
| Production history | |
| Designer | DRDO |
| Designed | ~1997 - 2008 |
| Manufacturer | DRDO |
| No. built | 2 |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 23 tons (25 tons with ERA) |
| Crew | 3 (commander, driver, gunner) 7 Troops |
Main armament | 1 × 40 mm L/70 autocannon (210 rounds) |
Secondary armament | 1 × 30 mm AGS-17 7.62 mm PKT coaxial machine gun 2 × MILAN ATGM |
| Engine | Greaves Cotton TD2V8 diesel engine 410 kW (550 hp) |
| Power/weight | 24 hp/ton |
| Transmission | Full automatic gearbox |
| Suspension | Hydropneumatic suspension |
Operational range | 400 km |
| Maximum speed | 35 km/h (cross country) 70 km/h (road) |
Abhay (Sanskrit: अभय, "Fearless") was an Infantry Combat Vehicle (ICV) developed under a technology-demonstrator program created in India by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). Abhay would serve as the technology demonstrator for the replacement vehicle of the BMP-II ICVs India used at the time, now called the Future Infantry Combat Vehicle Program (FICV programme), and allowed DRDO to experience the indigenous (local) development of nearly the entire ICV and its systems.[1]
The program began in the mid-1990s. By 2003, the development of the first Mild Steel prototype was completed and the development of the first armoured prototype was in progress. By 2004, various stages of the vehicle were in the advanced stages of development. By 2005, the first prototype of the Abhay (Mild Steel) was completely integrated with indigenously made systems. By 2008, the Abhay program was officially declared successfully completed by DRDO in the Ministry of Defence Annual Report of 2007–2008.[2][3][4][1]
Allegedly, Mr. M Natarajan, at the time recently appointed Director General of DRDO, stated about the Abhay in 2004: "The Abhay is under development. We see it as the future infantry combat vehicle for the Army. It will be a replacement for the Russian made BMPs that the Army has. It should be ready in two years."[5] This was not clarified later on for unknown reasons.
History[edit]
In 1975, the Indian Government appointed an expert panel to undertake a long-term perspective plan for the army. The committee, also called the Krishna Rao Committee Report. was headed by Lieutenant General (later General) K.V Krishna Rao. It was mandated to present a perspective till 2000. It was required to evaluate national security threats, propose a strategy against it, visualise the future battlefield, determine the size of the army and suggest an incremental build-up of forces. 40 Wide-ranging discussions were carried out by the committee with a number of agencies.[6]
The report followed-up on the limited mechanisation of the army that had begun in 1969 with the induction of TOPAS and SKOT armoured personnel carriers. As a result of the recommendations of the report, the Mechanised Infantry Regiment equipped with the BMP-I was raised 2 April 1979. The real impact of the recommendations was felt when Krishnaswamy Sundarji took over as Chief of the Army Staff in 1986. At the end of his tenure in 1988, over 23 Mechanised Infantry Regiments were raised equipped with at the time state-of-the-art BMP-2 ICVs. The offensive potential of Indian armour was augmented by the availability of world-class technology from the Soviet Union of the BMP-1/BMP-2 ICVs. The changes post-1975, which eventually gained pace in the 1980s, were supported by technological advances, especially related to the ICV platform.[6]
With a great emphasis being placed on the army's mechanised regiments, the equipment of the Mechanised Infantry Regiment was constantly under question when after having used the vehicle for a length of time, the army understood the weaknesses of the vehicle. The BMP lacked protection; it was not equipped for night fighting, struggled to combat modern armour, had poor protection amongst mines, among many other faults, and the BMP-1 especially was ineffective at the infantry combat role because of the inaccuracy and inefficiency of the 73 mm main gun.[7] This was highlighted by the performance of Iraqi Mechanised Infantry Regiments in the Gulf War. In response the army eventually started the process of creating the FICV program, presumably sometime after 1991, to procure an IFV that would be modern and have all the capabilities the BMP series of vehicles lacked.
DRDO was tasked during this time to create an ICV that would serve as a technology demonstrator for a vehicle that was planned to replace the BMP-2, hence the Abhay program was created, sometime after 1991 and before 1998. It suffered delays after 1998 due to the sanctions imposed on India by multiple countries because of its Pokhran-II nuclear tests conducted that year.[8] According to Indian Ministry of Defence annual reports released from 2003 to 2008, development of the mild steel hull prototype was completed by 2003, and was being used for testing of the indigenously made automotive systems of the Abhay. The development of the armoured steel prototype was also in progress in the same year. By 2004, various stages of the vehicle were in the advanced stages of development, and by 2005 the armoured prototype of the Abhay was complete, using indigenously developed automotive and weapon systems, and armour. In 2008, DRDO stated about the Abhay:[4][3][2][1]
"The multi-disciplinary, multi-laboratory, Technology Demonstration Programme for development of Infantry Combat Vehicle (ICV) Abhay, has been successfully completed during the year having realized two prototypes. The successful development programme has imparted a boost to the self-reliance in defence technology. The technologies developed under this programme, such as fire control system, composite armour, hydro-pneumatic suspension and host of other automotive and armament sub-systems can be adopted for futuristic ICV and light tracked vehicle projects."[1] Only two prototypes were made of the Abhay, a mild steel prototype and an armoured prototype.[1]
As of 14 January 2024, DRDO has worked with L&T to develop and test the Zorawar light tank, the first batch of which is to be delivered to the army in April 2024. The tank uses some of the systems developed on the Abhay, such as an Integrated Fire Suppression System or IFSS.[9]
Design[edit]
Because the development of the Abhay required several technologies in the fields of materials, electronics, instrumentation, armaments, etc. Multiple DRDO laboratories were involved in the development of this ICV. These were:[10]
- IRDE - Development of instruments (gunner and commander sights, periscopes)
- ARDE - Development of the armament system
- DMRL - Development of composite armour
- HEMRL - Development of ammunition
- CFEES - Development of the IFSS
- DEBEL - Development of the Ergonomic layout
- CVRDE - Consultancy on all aspects of development
- DLJ - Development of the protection system (Laser Warning Receiver)
VRDE carried out the basic design and development of hull and turret envelopes, power pack, running gear, suspension, vetronics, automotive systems, system integration, and testing.[10]
Hull[edit]
The hull is the basic structure of the ICV. It houses automotive, armament and running gear systems. It also provided space for crew, and protection against small arms. A lightweight compound armoured hull is designed to accommodate all the sub-systems maintaining the
dimensions limits. The first prototype was developed using steel of thin medium hardness, or mild steel.[10] The second prototype was developed with rounded corners creating a reduced silhoutte and enhancing Abhay's stealth capability, and was integrated with composite armour optimised for the most likely threats like small arms fire and the primary armament of enemy ICVs.[10] The development of the hull greatly helped the DRDO in understanding how to create an armoured hull through edge preparation, specialised welding and armour bending techniques. The technology of using non-metallic composite armour was also indigenously made for the Abhay.[10] DRDO laboratory Defence Bioengineering and Electromedical Laboratory (DEBEL) based in Bengaluru designed the ergonomical layout of Abhay.[11]
Turret[edit]
For the mild steel prototype, a polygonal shaped turret made of armoured steel plates was developed which was sloped all around, especially in the frontal arc, to increase protection.[10] For the armoured prototype, a rounded turret was made with the same composite armor as the hull, providing a low silhoutte and maximum protection level.[10] The turret accommodated the gunner and commander and was outfitted with the gunner and commander sight, primary and secondary armament systems, fire control system, etc.[10] Both the turrets had suspended light-weight turret baskets for attachment of assemblies and integrated equipment. Both the commander and gunner had adjustable seats.[10] A bearing race (wire race) meshed with pinion gear helped in turret traverse and was driven by lightweight precision servo gear drives.[10] A turret lock was designed for stabilization of the turret when the ICV is moving.[10]
Instrumentation[edit]
Multiple instruments were indigenously developed by IRDE for the Abhay, including but not limited to:[10]
- Gunners Main Sight
The Gunners Main Sight (GMS) is an integrated, stabilised day sight with a thermal imager and LRF with a built-in fire control computer. All the technologies involved and the components used are critical in nature. A modular concept was adapted to complete the system.[10]
- Commanders Day Periscope
The commanders day periscope provides the facility to the commander for surveillance and designate terrain targets when the commander's hatch is closed.[10]
- Driver's passive night periscope.
The driver's passive night periscope (DPNP) provides night driving capability to the driver of the Abhay. The DPNP is based on the image intensification technology using a second-generation image intensifier tube, a fast optical system as OG, and a binocular eye piece for smooth and comfortable vision.[10]
- Thermal monitor for commander
The thermal monitor, a multi-functional display, facilitates the commander to view the image as seen by the gunner. Various keys have been configured for man-machine interface.[10]
- Fire Control Computer
The Fire Control Computer (FCC) provides ballistic offsets to the gun in azimuth and elevation for different ammunition based upon the range and environmental conditions. The FCC console enables the gunner to key in ammunition type, range, meteorological parameters, mean point of impact, and bore sighting range, etc.[10]
- Muzzle Bore Sight
Modifications were done to the existing bore muzzle TXP-1-515 of the BMP-2 to suite the requirements of the bore sighting and zeroing of the 40 mm autocannon of the Abhay.[10]
Protection[edit]
The protection rating of the Abhay was an essential topic, as compared to the BMP-2, its replacement (later on the FICV program) would need much better protection against mines, small arms fire, shell fragments, and other most probably threats it would face. Therefore, the protection of the Abhay was ensure through multiple layers and systems.[10]
- Hull Armour
The armoured prototype (different from the mild steel prototype) used new (also indigenously developed) armour technologies such as multi-ceramic armour, high-hardness steel armour, titanium armour, dual hardness spaced armour, and anti-fragment armor at various locations to form the composite armor of the Abhay. This composite armour led to a weight reduction of more than 40% in comparison with steel for equivalent protection. More than 300 armour components fabricated to specific shapes, sizes and configurations were made and tested on the armoured prototype.[10]
- ERA
A lighter impact version of Kanchan Explosive Reactive Armor (ERA) with mounting fixtures was developed for the Abhay, which offered protection without any damage to the hull armour of the Abhay.[10]
- NBC Protection System
Abhay was also equipped with an NBC (Nuclear, Biological, Chemical) protection system, the same (modernised) one that was tested and developed for the BMP-2. It consists of a Radiation Detection Measurement and Control (RADMAC) Unit, Automatic Control Unit (ACU), Blower Control Unit (BCU) and automation of NBC Protection System.[10]
- Integrated Fire Suppression System
An Integrated Fire Suppression System (IFSS) was developed for the Abhay to protect the ICV from fires in the engine and crew compartment. It comprises the Main Control Unit (MCU), IR Detection Units, Automatic Fire Extinguisher (AFE), Portable Fire Extinguisher (PFE), Electrical Pyro Cartridge, Linear Thermal Detection, Alarm Unit (AU), Emergency Switch Unit (ESU), Cable Harness, and IFSS System software.[10]
- Laser Warning System
The Abhay also features a Laser Warning System which reduces the ICVs vulnerability to laser guided weapons by providing visual and auditory of any laser guided threats to the crew for the timely initiation of countermeasures.[10]
Firepower[edit]
The Abhay features vastly improved firepower over the BMP-2 to better fit the requirements of a modern ICV. It has limited anti-air as well as anti-armor capabilities, an indigenous FCS, multiple primary and secondary armaments, a twin missile launcher, etc.[10][4]
Armament[edit]
The Abhay ICV has two primary armaments and two secondary armaments.
Primary Armament:
The Abhay has two primary armament weapons, the 40 mm autocannon and the twin ATGM launcher.
- The Abhay is outfitted with a Bofors 40 mm L/70 autocannon fire on closing, self-ejecting cartridge gun with a recoil-operated autoloader using a 40x365mmR cartridge with 3 rate of fire modes - 240 rounds/min, 300 rounds/min, 330 rounds/min.[12] On the Abhay, the Bofors 40mm L/70 autocannon is fed rounds through a two column feed and ejection/replenishment system allowing for the gun to be use two types of rounds without the need to change any ammunition belts.[13][14] The autocannon is capable of firing 40mm APFSDS rounds for armored targets like enemy ICVs as well as HE rounds for soft targets like infantry and light-skinned vehicles, with the APFSDS rounds being able to penetrate 100mm RHA at a range of 1000m/1 km, using single base propellant MEX-NX.[10] The autocannon barrel is a progressively rifled, developed for the first time in the country for a low calibre gun.[14]
- The Abhay is also able to be equipped with a Twin ATGM launcher capable of carrying and firing the BEL modified Milan ATGM with an improved range of 3000m/3 km[4][10] It has provision for two missiles placed side by side over two guide rails, which in turn are mounted onto a hood. The whole assembly is mounted on top plate of Abhay's turret.[10]
Secondary Armament:
The Abhay is outfitted with two secondary armament weapons, the Automatic Grenade Launcher 17 and the PKT co-axial 7.62 mm machine gun.[14][10]
- The Abhay is outfitted with the Automatic Grenade Launcher 17 (Russian Designation AGS-17 "Plamya"), which uses a 30x29 mm cartridge for 30 mm grenades, with a standard rate of fire of 400 rounds/min with an effective firing range of 800 to 1,700 m. The feed system uses a 29 grenade belt.
- The Abhay is also equipped with a 7.62 mm solenoid-fired co-axial PKT machine gun with a standard rate of fire of 100 rounds/min, a 250-round magazine. The PKT has a higher muzzle velocity and higher cyclic rate of fire then other PK machine gun variants. It can fire 500 rounds in rapid fire scenarios before meltdown.
Fire Control System[edit]
The Abhay is equipped with an all-electric type weapon control system (fire control system) with independent stabilisation has been developed indigenously by DRDO in association with private sector industry for the turret of the Abhay. The purpose of the all-electric drive (AED) is to position the 40 mm main gun of Abhay on to the target in azimuth and elevation and to provide twin-axis stabilisation (horizontal and vertical stabilisation) to the weapon platform against external disturbances.[15]
It is an electromechanical system, which uses brush-less drives with especially designed backlash free elevation and traverse gearboxes coupled to turret ring for rotation in azimuth, and to sector gear for elevation/depression of gun, respectively.[15] The system employs vector control technology implemented through digital controllers and insulated gate bipolar transistor (IGBT)-based power amplifiers for control of brush-less drives. It uses state-of-the-art fibre optic gyros as feedback elements for the purpose of stabilisation. AED has a provision for MIL 1553 and RS 422 interface for real-time connectivity with Fire Control System and Battlefield Management System. It has been interfaced with a combined day-cum-night sight integrated to Laser Range Finder for the purpose of aiming at targets. The system has excellent accuracy levels comparable with contemporary systems.[15]
The system has been tested on board vehicle on cross-country and has been successfully test fired on static targets. Being an indigenous development, AED can be suitably configured to drive and stabilise similar weapons/allied platforms.[15]
Salient Features[edit]
Source:[15]
- Provides fire on move capability
- Operates in various modes, viz., self-stab and sight-master mode
- Inbuilt provision for equipment testing
- Interlocks for safe operation
- Dual control through gunner and commander joysticks with override facility to commander
Technical Specifications[edit]
Source:[15]
- Traverse and elevation rates
- Max. : 40o/s
- Min. : 0.04o/s
- Stabilisation : 0.8 mil/s (1s)
- Acceleration : >50o/s2
- Drift Rate : <0.1mil/s
Mobility[edit]
A large majority of the Abhay's automotive systems were indigenous and provided invaluable experience to DRDO in the development of these essential components of an ICV.[2][4][1] The automotive systems of the Abhay are:
Engine[edit]
The engine used to power the Abhay is the Greaves Cotton TD2V8 550 horsepower turbocharged diesel engine with a power-to-weight ratio of 24 horsepower per tonne (24 hp/tonne), able to push the vehicle to an on-road speed of 70 km/h, cross-country speed of 35 km/h, and a cruising range of 400 km.[16][10]
Power pack[edit]
Power Pack: Abhay ran on a 550 hp indigenous turbocharged diesel engine with Hydro Mechanical Power Transmission (HMPT)-500-3EC fully automatic cross-drive transmission of M/s David Brown, UK. It has six forward and two reverse speeds. A new cooling system comprising radiator core, after cooler core, transmission oil cooler, hydraulic oil cooler core, cooling fan, and hydraulic drives was indigenously designed and developed. The compact cooling system with hydraulic drives is capable of withstanding temperatures ranging from -10 degree Celsius to +55 degree Celsius. The steering and brake system integrated with automatic transmission were controlled through indigenously developed actuation system and linkage mechanism. An indigenous Power Distribution System (PDU) distributed power to the compressor, generator, cooling fan, etc. Lightweight final drives offset using aluminium casings were also developed indigenously.[10]
Suspension system[edit]
The hydro strut suspension of Abhay utilised the proven advantages of a pneumatic spring. Abhay's hydro damper can be adapted to both tracked vehicles. The damper is inbuilt in this form of suspension. The hydro strut suspension offers better ride comfort and exceptional cross-country mobility. The static load capacity of each suspension is 1.4 ton to 1.9 ton with wheel travel up to 400 mm, and bounce and rebound of 300 mm and 100 mm, respectively.[10]
The technologies used during the development of the hydro gas suspension system include surface finishing and surface coating techniques, sealing materials, manufacturing techniques for seals, test cycles, and testing procedure.[10]
Running Gear System[edit]
The indigenously developed running gear system system of the Abhay comprises a double pin, and rubber track with a central horn.[9]
The axle arms, sprockets, idler wheels, road wheels, and track tension mechanism have also been indigenously designed and developed.[10]
Advance Automotive Dashboard[edit]
An indigenous advance automotive dashboard with various sensors was developed and integrated on the vehicle. The dashboard was interfaced with GPS system for navigation. It acquires inputs on various parameters from engine, transmission, and troops' compartments and displays it on the front panel. The front end display shows selectable vehicle parameters such as vehicle speed, engine speed, engine/gearbox oil pressure, temperature, etc. The system checks all vehicle parameters and generates appropriate messages. It also records the cumulative values of important parameters, and schedule of periodic maintenance. The system continuously compares sensors inputs of critical parameters with threshold limits and gives audio/visual warning whenever any parameter goes out of specified range.[10]
Vehicles of Comparable role, size and era[edit]
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ a b c d e f "Ministry of Defence Annual Report 2007-2008" (PDF). Retrieved 14 January 2023.
- ^ a b c "Ministry of Defence Annual Report 2002-2003" (PDF). Retrieved 14 January 2024.
- ^ a b "Ministry of Defence annual Report 2003-2004" (PDF). Retrieved 14 January 2024.
- ^ a b c d e "Ministry of Defence Annual Report 2004-2005" (PDF). Retrieved 14 January 2024.
- ^ "Abhay". www.globalsecurity.org. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
- ^ a b Chadha, Vivek. "An Assessment of Organisational Change in the Indian Army" (PDF). idsa.in. Retrieved 14 January 2024.
- ^ "BMP-1", Wikipedia, 5 December 2023, retrieved 14 January 2024
- ^ "India's Futuristic Infantry Combat Vehicle: Abhay IFV". 15 March 2023. Retrieved 14 January 2024.
- ^ a b "DRDO starts trials of light tank Zorawar, to hand over project to Army in months". India Today. Retrieved 14 January 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai "Technologies for Light Armoured Tracked Vehicles" (PDF). August 2009. Archived from the original (PDF) on 24 August 2009. Retrieved 14 January 2024.
- ^ DRDO's Life saving products save foreign exchange too Archived 7 October 2008 at the Wayback Machine, FIDSNS, 30 August 2007
- ^ "Bofors 40 mm Automatic Gun L/70", Wikipedia, 12 October 2023, retrieved 14 January 2024
- ^ "Dr. Shailendra V Gade | Defence Research and Development Organisation - DRDO, Ministry of Defence, Government of India". www.drdo.gov.in. Retrieved 14 January 2024.
- ^ a b c "Armament System for ICV- ABHAY | Defence Research and Development Organisation - DRDO, Ministry of Defence, Government of India". www.drdo.gov.in. Retrieved 14 January 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f "All Electric Type Weapon Control System for ICV | Defence Research and Development Organisation - DRDO, Ministry of Defence, Government of India". www.drdo.gov.in. Retrieved 14 January 2024.
- ^ "The Indian Abhay Infantry Fighting Vehicle". TankNutDave.com. Retrieved 14 January 2024.
External links[edit]
- DRDO Techfocus on Abhay IFV
- Abhay IFV at GlobalSecurity.org