Armoured Engineer Reconnaissance Vehicle

The Armoured Engineer Reconnaissance Vehicle (AERV) is an Indian military engineering vehicle developed by Vehicle Research and Development Establishment, Ahmednagar jointly with Research and Development Establishment, Pune, in coordination with C-TEC, as per the QRs of the Indian Army for enabling the combat engineers to conduct recce operations. It is manufactured by Ordnance Factory Medak. The AERV is based on 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 reverine terrain. It has no gun and is fitted with specialised 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. The AERVs have achieved limited series production and have entered service with the Corps of Engineers.