Malkapur Lake Trials Reconfirm Amphibious Capability of BMP-II Vehicles
Ordnance Factory Medak tests flotation, transition and terrain performance of ICVs
Hyderabad: Annual trials at the Malkapur lake in Sangareddy on Friday reconfirmed the amphibious capability of the BMP-II series vehicles manufactured at the Ordnance Factory Medak. The test was conducted with teams from quality assurance units and the User Directorate.
The exercise tested how the infantry combat vehicles handled flotation, transition, and terrain changes, which are seen as essential checks before these platforms enter or continue service with field units. The evaluation also helped the factory align its production checks with field requirements before dispatching units to the Army.
The trials were held under the supervision of OFM chief general manager S.S. Prasad. Officials observed how the vehicles responded to controlled entry into water, propulsion during flotation, and recovery onto land. The test is part of a yearly cycle that allows the manufacturing unit to assess consistency across different variants of the BMP-II family.
Ordnance Factory Medak, set up in 1984 at Yeddumailaram, manufactures multiple ICV variants for the Indian Army. These include BMP-II, IIK, CMT, AERV, AAT, CCPT, NBCRV, and other specialised configurations designed for operational roles that range from armoured movement to reconnaissance and battlefield support. The factory has produced platforms beyond the BMP series, including the CRN-91 for naval use, mine-protected vehicles, and bulletproof vehicles for paramilitary and state police forces.
