India has signed licensing agreements with Bangalore-based mobility developer Bharat Earth Movers Limited (BEML) to produce support vehicles for Arjun main battle tanks.
Under the terms of the agreement, the state-owned company will manufacture Unit Maintenance Vehicles, Unit Repair Vehicles, and 70T Tank Transporter Full Trailers fitted with modern hydraulic suspension systems.
The platforms will be distributed to the Indian Army’s Armoured Corps, a Maharashtra-based command operating combat vehicles and other heavy systems for the force.
BEML noted that the future vehicles and associated equipment will maintain “first-line technical maintenance and light repairs” to both electrical and mechanical components of the Arjun tanks.
The package is expected to optimize the fleet’s readiness and provide “exceptional manoeuvrability even in demanding operational scenarios.”
Currently, there are approximately 120 Arjun battle tanks in the Indian Army’s inventory.
BEML inks 3 Licensing Agreements with #DRDO’s VRDE to indigenously produce key mobility & support systems for Indian Army’s Armoured Corps — UMV & URV for MBT Arjun, and 70T Tank Transporter Trailer.
The agreements were formally handed over by Dr. Samir V. Kamat, Secretary,… pic.twitter.com/QhoQTYX4Dm— BEML India (@BEMLltd) June 9, 2025
New Systems in All Domains
BEML’s latest project comes amid rising tensions between Indian and Pakistani forces in Kashmir.
Weeks after the first clashes in the region, New Delhi approved a major prototyping effort as part of its plan to develop a fifth-generation fighter jet, bolstering both the country’s aerial dominance and local economy.
It followed the Indian Navy’s acceptance of a frigate, a stealth destroyer, and a submarine into service last January in Mumbai.
The warships make up the Shivalik-class frigates and the Visakhapatnam-class destroyers to improve the military’s maritime firepower.
Meanwhile, the submarine serves as the sixth and final vessel under the navy’s Kalvari-class program, which borrows from the assembly design of the French Scorpene-class diesel-electric submarine.
