The Indian Ministry of Defence (MoD) has outlined the scope and progression of defence production projects processed under its Strategic Partner (SP) initiative.

Minister of State for Defence Shripad Naik told parliament on 3 July that four programmes were currently under way – one in each SP segment – for fighter aircraft, helicopters, submarines, and armoured fighting vehicles (AFVs)/main battle tanks (MBTs).

A procurement program in the AFV/MBT segment is at the request for information (RFI) stage, said Naik. He did not elaborate but this procurement is expected to feature the Future Ready Combat Vehicle (FRCV) programme, through which Indian industry will build 1,700 vehicles for the Indian Army to replace its ageing T-72 MBTs.