Tata Motors has said that it will be willing to invest around Rs 600 crore in defence vehicles, specifically infantry combat vehicles, if the government places an order with the manufacturer. The development cost of the vehicle is projected to be around Rs 300 crore and the manufacturing cost, including setting up a plant, may be Rs 250 crore.
The plan is dependent on the army placing an order for the vehicle, however. Tata is eyeing Dharwad in Karnataka for the manufacturing facility, should it get the contract from the military.
The FICV is on display at the DefExpo in Delhi, where Tata has displayed scale models of different versions of the vehicle, including tracked and wheeled, and one with a turret.
Tata Motors currently exports military vehicles to Sri Lanka, Nepal, African countries and US agencies in Afghanistan. It is also looking to enter the market in the Middle-East.
