Auto News

Top Five Cars of the Indian Defence Forces

New Delhi: The Indian army is operational across various terrain, including deserts, harsh mountains, and harsher forests. A powerful military action like this obviously needs to have a good choice of mobility to combat the harsh conditions. The convoy needs to be both safe and fast in order to serve this big nation.

The army has in its fleet a mix of armoured vehicles that have been at parallels with the American military vehicle, the Hummer, powerful tanks, strong trucks, and agile military vehicles. It has even taken the service of civilian vehicles.

5) Maruti Suzuki Gypsy

The Maruti Suzuki Gypsy was synonymous as army’s choice of car for a long time. First introduced to the military in 1991, the lightweight, compact SUV earned its keep by being reliable and taking part in numerous army actions. The gypsy had all the quality the army needed it to have, it was agile, maneuverability and handled the rough or narrow terrains excellently.

In 2016, the Gypsy made way for the Safari Storme, having served the country for 25 years. At the time of its retirement, more than 30,000 of these iconic vehicle were still active in the army. The lineage of serving the army still continues with the introduction of the Suzuki Jimny to the army.

4) Mahindra Marksman: Urban Fortress

At #MahindraDefence we have just begun deliveries of the Armado—India’s 1st Armoured Light Specialist Vehicle. Designed, developed & built with pride in India for our armed forces. Jai Hind. 🇮🇳
I salute @Prakashukla who has led our Defence Sector with enormous commitment. pic.twitter.com/TtyB0L8MrT — anand mahindra (@anandmahindra) June 17, 2023

Mahindra Marksman was the country’s first indigenously developed bulletproof infantry mobility vehicle. It was designed to provide the personnel of defence paramilitary, and even police forces with protection from small arms fire and grenade attacks. Unveiled in 2009, it was used first by the Mumbai Police Force One, and was adapted by the CRPF, BSF and CISF. Still in service for its strength, the SUV comes with a sports full-time 4wd, diesel power and run-flat tyres. The armoured vehicle can withstand two hand grenades detonated at the same time under the vehicle. Equipped with seven crew firing ports, wide bulletproof windows, means even the crew at the back is capable of operation.

3) Tata Motors Safari Storme

The Indian army took posession of 3912 units of Tata Safari Storme, which replaced the long serving Maruti Suzuki Gypsy in 2016. The Tata Safari had some competition from the Mahindra Scorpio, and both vehicles went through rigorous testing, including the rough snow, high terrains and marshy lands.  The Army’s GS800 (General Service 800) vehicle classification, which requires a hard-top vehicle with air conditioning and a payload of at least 800 kg, was met by the Storme. The Storme serves both the Indian Army and the Border Security Forces and is spotted in the convoy of the army still.

2) Ashok Leyland Light Bullet Proof Vehicle

Ashok Leyland has strengthened its armoured vehicle platform by delivering the first of its kind Light Bullet Proof Vehicles (LBPV) to the Indian Air force! Read more here: https://t.co/QTeWeNcMiD#AshokLeyland #LBPV #AapkiJeetHamariJeet pic.twitter.com/kPlHx8cvaV — Ashok Leyland (@ALIndiaOfficial) April 16, 2021

Developed with American defence and aerospace manufacturer Lockheed, the Ashok Leyland Light Bullet Proof Vehicle was designed for protected mobility over a long distance. It is primarily used by the Indian Air Force, it comes with the military-required toughness with a modern and sleek exterior. 

It can accommodate six personnel and has brilliant off-road capability and a comfort-oriented suspension setup as well. With a commanding stance, the vehicle stood out for its extremely high payload fraction and provided the crew with protection from both ballistic and Blast threats, and in fact could launch attacks as well.

1)Mahindra Armoured Light Specialist Vehicle

Indian Army’s New Mahindra Armoured Light Specialist Vehicle (ALSV) & Kalyani Strategic Systems Limited (KSSL) Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC Class 1) in D.R. Congo for UN Peacekeeping Missions. pic.twitter.com/SNDC1APJvg — Jay Wankhade (@jaywankhadejrw) October 27, 2022

Mahindra Armoured Light Specialist Vehicle, also known as Armando or Light Specialist Vehicle, is a light-weight four-wheel drive air transportable military vehicle that Mahindra designed for the Indian Army and Indian Special Forces. It is a maintenance-friendly, modular vehicle that may be modified and set up for a variety of purposes.

Coming with a Steyr 3.2-litre 6-cylinder turbo diesel engine producing 215 bhp, the vehicle was delivered to the army from June of 2023. Mahindra also offered it in the mortar carrier variant of ALSV. The variants include a six or eight-seater light armoured ambulance, a command and control vehicle, Vehicle vehicle-mounted infantry mortar system, and an ammunition carrier.