In mid-2005 it was stated that two prototypes of the Abhay Infantry Combat Vehicle (ICV) were undergoing trials with the Indian Army.

The vehicle has been developed under the leadership of the Defence Research Development Organisation (DRDO) and it is believed that development of the Abhay commenced in the early 1990s.

Once fielded, Abhay could one day form the backbone of the Indian Army ground fleet and work alongside the recently acquired Russian T-90S Main Battle Tank (MBT), which is now being manufactured under licence in India.

The Abhay could supplement and eventually replace the Indian Army's ageing Russian-designed BMP-2 ICV, according to a 2001 DRDO report. Over 1,500 BMP-2 ICVs have been manufactured in India at the Indian Ordnance Factory at Medak, under the local name of the Sarath.

As of mid-2007 there was no date as to when this would enter production or service with the Indian Army.

The layout of the Abhay ICV is conventional, with the driver and one crew member at the front-left, diesel power pack to the right, two-person power-operated turret in the middle and troop compartment at the rear.

According to the DRDO, Abhay features a lightweight compound armour for a higher level of battlefield survivability.

It is powered by a turbocharged diesel engine developing 550 hp at 2,300 rpm coupled to an automatic transmission. The vehicle has a high level of cross-country mobility due to the installation of a hydromechanical suspension system.

There are a number of weapon options, including the installation of a two-person turret armed with a 40 mm cannon, with 240 rounds of ammunition, 7.62 mm coaxial machine gun and a 30 mm automatic grenade launcher. Mounted on the right side of the turret is a launcher for Anti-Tank Guided Weapons (ATGWs).

The ATGW could be the locally developed Nag, which has been under development for some years.

When compared to the current Indian Sarath ICV, the new Abhay would have a significant increase in armour, mobility and firepower.