TATA Kestrel

The TATA Kestrel, also known as the IPMV  (Infantry Protected Mobility Vehicle), is a family of armoured personnel carriers developed by Tata Advanced Systems and the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). It was developed to replace Soviet-era BMP-1 and BMP-2 and APCs in service with the Indian Army.

History
The Indian Army currently has large fleet of BMP-1, BMP-2, and various types of APCs of Soviet origin. Over time, these vehicles have become obsolete and incapable of taking on the challenge of modern-day warfare. At the same time many superior designs have evolved in Western nations. Tata Motors and DRDO developed the Kestrel vehicle in partnership with Supacat to meet army requirements.

The vehicle was first shown at the Defexpo 2014 convention, showing a Kongsberg PROTECTOR MCT-30R turret and a M151 Remote Weapon Station equipped with Javelin.

In October 2019, the Indian Ministry of Defence cleared the Kestrel for production and export to friendly nations. The Indian Army planned to acquire 200 Kestrels.

Operational history
As tensions continue to escalate between India and China over the de facto Line of Actual Control, DRDO-TATA Kestrel (WhAP), landed at Ladakh to undergo cold-weather trials. The first batch of WhAP's were inducted into the army on 12 April 2022.

WhAP is also being delivered to Central Reserve Police Force.

Design
Development of WhAP 8 × 8 Amphibious Wheeled Armoured Vehicle was taken up to provide common platform for various vehicle type like Wheeled APC, 30 mm Infantry Combat Vehicle, 105 mm Light Tank, command post vehicle, ambulance, special purpose platform, 120 mm mortar carrier, CBRN Vehicle based on the same chassis of Kestrel.

Kestrel is designed for modern day warfare keeping in mind the crew survivability, protection against small arms fire, mobility and protection against concealed explosives. The armour is made up of applique and composites along with welded steels. Additional armour kit can be applied in heavy firing zones. The hull floor is further strengthened to defeat mines and similar explosives. The seats are attached to the roof for improved blast protection. Fuel tanks are placed outside the troop compartment for additional safety.

The 8X8 wheel configuration is set on a hydropneumatic suspension utilizing double wishbone arrangement. All wheels have run flat capability to allow the vehicle to move even after suffering punctures. There are four axles, the front axle is steerable which minimizes the turning radius of the vehicle.



The glacis plate is very shallow, and the fuel tank is mounted outside the vehicle to improve survivability. A standard operating crew of two including driver and commander, with a full mechanized squad of 12 members. Anti-blast seats are installed to absorb any shocks and secondary slams, reducing brain and spinal injuries.

Engine is placed at front left. Passengers are placed in the centerline in a back-to-back fashion, each facing a firing port.The Kestrel has high power-to-weight ratio for mountainous terrain and is powered by a 600hp turbocharged diesel engine. The vehicle is fully amphibious, propelled by two waterjets. It can reach up to 100 km/h.

The vehicle has been designed to provide protection against land mines. It ranges from Stanag 4569 Level I to Level IV with the hull being designed with protection up to Stanag Level III. The hull configuration evolved follows a 'V’-type bottom with double configuration consisting of an inner panel and bottom panel. The bottom panel is designed to deflect the blast energy and get deformed to minimize the blast effects.

Snap-on modules are used in the Kestrel in order to easily configure it according to needed roles in the field.

The vehicle has been fitted with INS and GPS as its primary navigation equipment and is also fitted with Modular (UHF, VHF, HF) communication systems.

Weapons
The standard turret installation can accommodate a roof-mounted remote controlled Kongsberg Protector MCT-30R(RWS), which is outfitted with a 30mm autocannon. It has an effective range of 3,000m. The turret also has a 7.62mm coaxial machine gun.

The RCWS adds a heavy 12.7mm machine gun or a 40mm automatic grenade launcher. It also has option for adding up to two anti-tank guided missile launcher in quick fire mode. So, the vehicle is capable of countering enemy infantry, light armoured vehicles even main battle tanks.

In the 2016 Defexpo convention, a Kestrel was seen outfitted with the BMP-2 turret. Its known as the WhAP (Wheeled Amphibious Platform).

Variant
Planned variants include ambulance, NBC recon, Command Post and engineer vehicle.

Operators
🇮🇳 India


 * Indian Army
 * Central Reserve Police Force