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India ramps up border capabilities with locally-made all-terrain vehicles

Larsen & Toubro and BAE Systems have begun production of the BvS10 Sindhu all-terrain vehicle in Surat, designed to operate across diverse terrain from Ladakh's snow to the Kutch desert. The move strengthens Indian armed forces' mobility in frontier regions.

LSN India · 30 October 2026

India ramps up border capabilities with locally-made all-terrain vehicles

A joint venture between Larsen & Toubro (L&T) and BAE Systems has commenced manufacturing of 18 BvS10 Sindhu all-terrain vehicles at a facility in Surat, marking a significant step in India's defence production capabilities. The tracked vehicles are engineered to withstand extreme climatic conditions across India's varied geography, from the frigid heights of Ladakh to the arid expanses of the Kutch region.

The BvS10 Sindhu platform represents an advanced mobility solution tailored for the Indian armed forces' operational requirements in challenging border terrain. The vehicle's robust design enables deployment across snow, mud, sand and other difficult landscapes where conventional transport may prove inadequate, addressing critical logistics needs in remote frontier areas.

The localized production initiative reflects India's growing focus on indigenous defence manufacturing and reducing dependence on imports for critical military equipment. By establishing production capacity within the country, the venture aims to enhance supply chain resilience while generating employment in the defence industrial ecosystem.

The addition of these vehicles to the military's fleet is expected to strengthen operational readiness in border regions, particularly in areas facing geographical and climatic constraints. Defence analysts note that enhanced mobility capabilities are essential for maintaining effective presence and rapid response capabilities in India's frontier zones.