Lieutenant General Karanbir Singh Brar, PVSM, AVSM, General Officer Commanding of the Southern Command, paid a strategic visit to Armoured Vehicles Nigam Ltd. (AVNL) today to assess and enhance the state-owned firm’s production capacity. The visit reflects India’s intensified focus on fortifying its defense infrastructure amid evolving regional threats.
During the visit, Lt Gen Brar held in-depth consultations with AVNL officials, urging the acceleration of delivery timelines and a stronger push toward indigenization. This engagement comes on the heels of Operation Sindoor, a successful April 2025 counter-terrorism mission in Pahalgam that showcased India’s prowess in deploying homegrown technologies, including drones and advanced air defense systems, to neutralize threats swiftly and precisely.
Lt Gen Brar also inspected a range of armored vehicles and ammunition under development, as the Indian Army pushes for modernization of its land systems. Notable programs include the Future Main Battle Tank (FMBT) and Future Infantry Combat Vehicle (FICV), aimed at replacing outdated BMP-2 platforms with 1,750 next-generation vehicles tailored for future warfare.
AVNL, created in 2021 after the restructuring of the Ordnance Factory Board, plays a crucial role in India’s drive for defense self-reliance. The company is moving toward complete indigenization, with recent breakthroughs such as upgrades to the T-90 MK-II tank and the indigenous development of a 1,400 horsepower engine for the Arjun main battle tank.
As per a RAND Corporation report, India allocated 6.9% of its GDP to defense in 2023, underlining the urgency and scale of its military transformation. The government’s push for Make in India in defense is expected to not only improve military readiness but also position the country as a global leader in indigenous defense manufacturing.
