Pune: Bharat Forge Limited is developing a 25-26 ton light tank equipped with a 105mm cannon, with its prototype scheduled for testing in October or November 2025, according to Chairman and Managing Director Baba Kalyani.
The company is also working on Future Infantry Combat Vehicles (FICV) in both tracked and wheeled versions, with the first prototype set to be unveiled by the end of the year. Following the light tank, Bharat Forge plans to develop a main battle tank, further strengthening India's self-reliance in military hardware.
Kalyani emphasized that Bharat Forge’s defense initiatives will play out over the next 15-20 years, involving investments worth lakhs of crores. The company is leveraging digital technologies and artificial intelligence (AI) to speed up product development, significantly reducing the time required to transition from concept to final product.
Bharat Forge has already established itself as a key player in artillery manufacturing, with an ambitious goal of becoming the world's largest artillery producer by 2030. Last year, the company exported 100 artillery guns to a European country, including 18 high-end Advanced Towed Artillery Gun Systems (ATAGS) models, even before supplying them to the Indian Army.
“We manufacture a full range of artillery systems—towed artillery, truck-mounted artillery, tracked artillery, and ultralight howitzers (ULH),” Kalyani stated. The company is also developing next-generation artillery systems that can fire on the move, reducing the vulnerability of traditional artillery setups.
Bharat Forge has witnessed strong export growth, with 90% of its sales coming from international markets last year and 80% expected this year. The company is expanding further, with aspirations to supply military hardware to the US Army, the French Army, and other global defense forces.
Despite the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, Kalyani clarified that Bharat Forge does not see it as a commercial opportunity. However, he pointed out that European nations are facing a severe shortage of defense hardware, opening doors for Indian defense firms.
“Europe has allocated €850 billion for defense spending outside their budgetary constraints. The sheer volume of military equipment required is enormous, especially for replenishing stock depleted in Ukraine,” he added.
Over the past 14 years, Bharat Forge has invested hundreds of crores in defense R&D, with annual spending of around ₹100-150 crore. The company has built a strong foundation in technology, engineering, and manufacturing, positioning itself as a major global defense supplier.
However, Kalyani also highlighted the complex and time-consuming nature of defense procurement. “Selling military hardware involves multiple layers of government approvals, both in India and the buyer’s country. Faster approvals, testing, and induction will be critical for India’s defense industry to remain competitive,” he emphasized.
