Bharat Earth Movers Limited (BEML), a key defence sector public enterprise under the Government of India, has unveiled its first indigenously developed medium mine-resistant ambush-protected (MRAP) vehicle, designated as the Medium Bullet-Proof Vehicle (MBPV).

In July 2025, in a significant step towards bolstering India’s self-reliance in defence manufacturing, BEML Limited, a Schedule ‘A’ Public Sector Enterprise under the Ministry of Defence, has inaugurated three new state-of-the-art production units at its Kolar Gold Fields (KGF) complex.

The infrastructure expansion marks a major milestone in the company’s strategic effort to scale up indigenous defence capabilities and support the delivery of critical military platforms.

Representing a significant stride in India’s self-reliance drive for defence manufacturing, the MBPV is built with nearly 75% indigenous components, marking a substantial achievement in the "Made in India" initiative for armoured platforms.

The vehicle has been designed to meet the operational requirements of the Indian Army, paramilitary forces, and state police units, providing them with enhanced mobility, crew survivability, and mission flexibility in counter-insurgency, anti-terrorist, and high-risk operational areas.

The MBPV is based on a commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) 4×4 chassis developed by BEML itself, providing a balance between ruggedness and cost-efficiency. To further augment its manoeuvrability and cross-country capabilities, BEML has equipped the chassis with semi-articulated axles and hydraulic shock absorbers.

The MBPV offers a high ground clearance of 300 mm, which significantly enhances its ability to tackle difficult terrains such as rocky surfaces, mud tracks, and uneven rural landscapes often encountered during operations in border and insurgency-prone areas.

From a mobility standpoint, the MBPV is powered by a 235 kW water-cooled diesel engine, which enables the vehicle to achieve a maximum speed of 80 km/h. This engine is paired with a six-stage automatic transmission system, ensuring smooth handling across a variety of terrains.

For driver comfort and operational effectiveness, the vehicle integrates power steering, an Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), and a Central Tyre Inflation System (CTIS), which allows tire pressure adjustments on the move to suit different road conditions and off-road requirements. Together, these features ensure that the MBPV can undertake prolonged missions with minimal mechanical strain and reduced operator fatigue.

In terms of size and design, the MBPV measures 6,550 mm in length, 2,750 mm in width, and 3,290 mm in height, making it a substantially large and imposing vehicle for its class while still maintaining manoeuvrability for varied terrains. The platform can accommodate up to ten fully equipped personnel in its basic troop transport configuration.

Importantly, the MBPV has been designed with modularity in mind, allowing for conversion into specialised roles such as a medical evacuation vehicle (MEDEVAC) or a mobile command and control platform, depending on mission requirements. This adaptability ensures that the MBPV can serve a broad range of military and internal security functions, maximizing its value to the end-users.

Crew survivability and protection are at the core of the MBPV’s design philosophy. The armoured hull incorporates eight side-mounted firing ports, enabling mounted troops to return fire while under attack, thereby improving defensive capability.

The vehicle employs anti-blast seats, designed to minimize the impact of explosions on passengers and reduce the chances of severe injury in the event of a blast. While the manufacturer has not disclosed exact ballistic protection levels, it has been confirmed that the MBPV can withstand the detonation of two hand grenades directly beneath its belly, providing a baseline measure of mine-blast resistance.

This feature clearly highlights BEML’s focus on addressing the threats commonly faced in insurgency and counter-terrorism environments.

The baseline MBPV configuration does not feature a fully integrated heavy combat system but offers provisions for armament. It includes a protected gun mount, suitable for deploying a general-purpose machine gun (GPMG) for direct fire support. The gunner’s seat is equipped with foldable protective side panels for enhanced shielding.

To further elevate its lethality and operational versatility, the vehicle can be fitted with a small remote-controlled weapon station (RCWS) mounted on its roof, allowing for weapon operation from inside the vehicle.

Additionally, the MBPV carries a roof-mounted electro-optical sensor turret in its frontal section, significantly improving crew situational awareness by providing observation and targeting capabilities during both day and night operations.

The introduction of the Medium Bullet-Proof Vehicle by BEML reflects India’s growing capacity in developing advanced defence technologies tailored to modern asymmetric warfare challenges.

Its emphasis on indigenous systems, multi-role adaptability, robust mobility, and protective features makes it a promising addition to India’s armoured vehicle fleet.

Deployed effectively, the MBPV is expected to strengthen the operational capabilities of the armed forces, central armed police forces, and special law enforcement units dealing with insurgencies, terrorism, and border defence activities.

In the broader context, this development underscores India’s push towards achieving greater defence self-reliance while also positioning BEML as a competitive player in the domestic and international armoured vehicle markets.

IDN (With Agency Inputs)