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AERV passing through the Rajpath.
Service history
Used byIndian Army
Production history
DesignerVehicle Research and Development Establishment
Research & Development Establishment (Engineers)
ManufacturerArmoured Vehicles Nigam Limited
Bharat Electronics

The Armoured Engineer Reconnaissance Vehicle (AERV) is an Indian military engineering vehicle developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) in coordination with C-TEC, as per General Staff Qualitative Requirements (GSQRs) of the Indian Army for enabling the combat engineers to conduct recce operations.[1][2]

Development

AERV is manufactured by Ordnance Factory Medak, now comes under Armoured Vehicles Nigam Limited (AVANI). The AERV is based on BMP-2 Sarath's hull (license produced variant of Russian BMP-2) and is designed to carry out terrestrial and riverbed survey to facilitate construction of assault bridges across water obstacles in both offensive and defensive operations in plains, desert and riverine terrain.[3] It has no gun and is fitted with specialized equipment, including an echo-sounder, a water current meter, a laser range finder and GPS. On the left rear of the hull, a marking system with 40 rods is fitted.[1]

AERV is developed by Vehicle Research and Development Establishment (VRDE) and Research & Development Establishment (Engineers). While Bharat Electronics is manufacturing 14 major electronics and sensors.[4]

Operational history

On 22 December 2021, Indian Army Corps of Engineers formally inducted AERV in Pune. Indian Army ordered 53 units of AERV that upon induction will be deployed on the Western front.[4]

References

  1. ^ a b "BEL's AERV inducted into Army". The Times of India. 22 December 2021. Archived from the original on 23 December 2021. Retrieved 23 December 2021.
  2. ^ "Armoured Engineer Reconnaissance Vehicle (AERV)". Defence Research and Development Organisation. Ministry of Defence. Retrieved 23 December 2021.
  3. ^ "Indian Army inducts Armoured Engineer Reconnaissance Vehicle". The Hindu. 22 December 2021. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 23 December 2021.
  4. ^ a b Kulkarni, Sushant (22 December 2021). "Indigenously developed next-gen AERV inducted in Army's Corps of Engineers". The Indian Express. Archived from the original on 22 December 2021. Retrieved 23 December 2021.