What are Armoured Recovery Vehicles (ARVs)?

About Armoured Recovery Vehicles

• They are specialized military vehicles designed for the recovery and maintenance of armored vehicles on the battlefield.
• These vehicles are crucial for keeping armored units operational by recovering damaged or disabled tanks and other armored vehicles, performing field repairs, and evacuating casualties.
• They are normally built on the chassis of a main battle tank (MBT), but some are also constructed on the basis of other armoured fighting vehicles, mostly armoured personnel carriers (APCs).
• Funtions:
  • Towing and Recovery: They can recover vehicles stuck in mud, water, or other obstacles and tow them to safety or repair depots.
  • Maintenance and Repair: ARVs often have workshops and tools on board to perform basic repairs and maintenance tasks on armored vehicles.
  • Crew and Casualty Transport: Some ARVs are configured to transport injured personnel from the battlefield to medical facilities.
  • Armament: Many ARVs are armed with a defensive weapon, such as a machine gun or anti-aircraft gun, to provide self-defense capabilities.
  • Communication Equipment: They are typically equipped with advanced communication systems to coordinate recovery and maintenance operations with other units and command centers.
  • Bridge Layers: Some ARVs can be modified to carry and deploy portable bridge sections, allowing them to create temporary bridges over obstacles like rivers and ditches, enabling the movement of armored vehicles.

Q1) What is a main battle tank (MBT)?

A Main Battle Tank (MBT) is a heavily armored and heavily armed armored fighting vehicle designed for modern land warfare. MBTs are versatile and serve as the backbone of armored forces in many military organizations around the world. They are typically designed to perform multiple roles on the battlefield, including engaging enemy tanks, providing direct fire support to infantry, and conducting offensive and defensive operations.

Source: Army to procure 170 Armoured Recovery Vehicles