Tata Motors gets Indian Army contract for 6x6 High Mobility Vehicles

As a single largest order, Tata Motors has managed to cut a deal with the Indian Army to supply more than 1200 of its high-mobility multi-axle trucks making it the single largest order awarded to an Indian Private OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer). These vehicles will be used by the Indian Army for transportation of ammunition pallets, spares and operational equipment. 

Before finally producing these trucks for the Indian Army, Tata Motors has tested its prototypes for a total duration of over 2 years. During this time the trucks were put through their paces to test them for water-fording, on cross-country terrain, off the road, aside from all the testing they did at VRDE’s (Vehicle Research & Development Establishment) torture track. 

Tata has also installed these trucks with special features for the Indian Army like the Central Tyre Inflation System (CTIS). This feature eases mobility in soft and sand desert conditions. Moreover it also allows the driver to adjust the tyre pressure from his seat thereby offering better traction over varied surfaces. It has also been fitted with a self-recovery winch in order to help itself and other vehicles during an operation. And then considering that it might even carry ammunition, for the safety of the driver inside, it is fully-ready for up-armoring. 

Vernon Noronha, Vice President, Defence & Government Business, Tata Motors Limited said, “The order is a validation of our strategy and growth potential, for our durable and extensive range of defence vehicles, designed and developed with our evolving customers, including that of security forces across the world.”

These mobility trucks can be modified for variant applications like Common Gun Tower (CGT), Multi-Barrel Rocket Launcher (MBRL), Missile Firing Unit (MFU), Short Range Surface to Air Missile (SRSAM) and more.