Mahindra Defence Systems inaugurates Faridabad Facility

It is the first of its kind facility in the private sector in India and the company is bullish about the prospects. Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Anand Mahindra, Vice Chairman and Managing Director, Mahindra Group, stated, "Today, the defence space is growing at an exponential rate, creating opportunities for manufacture of world class products. With its technologically advanced manufacturing capability, MSMV will help Mahindra Defence Systems harness the potential in this space."

The Mahindra Special Military Vehicles facility will manufacture specialised vehicles for the armed forces, paramilitary forces and police. The prime focus of MDS is to build prototypes for special purposes and the company proposes to have a state of the art vehicle ready for combat by the year 2017-2018.

Quick Facts:

• MSMV will consist of a prototype shop and a shop floor of 40000 sq ft for the production of armoured vehicles and a fabrication area.


• The plant will have a capacity of 500 up-armoured vehicles per year and will roll out up-armoured vehicles such as bulletproof Scorpios, Boleros, the Rakshak, the bulletproof Tourister Bus, Riot Intervention Vehicles and the Marksman light armoured vehicle.


• The second phase of operations will see the AXE high mobility vehicle and the Mine Protected Vehicle which is being jointly developed with BAE Systems, being manufactured in a new shed which will be set up in the last quarter of FY2010.


• A short test track will also be constructed behind the factory which will have a multiple angle gradient ramp, different profiles like potholes and pave, shower, turning radius and noise test facilities.

JV with BAE Systems

In January 2009, Mahindra received approval from the Government of India's Foreign Investment Promotions Board to set up a Joint Venture (JV) in India with BAE Systems, the premier global defence and aerospace company, focused on land systems for the Indian market. MDS will be a key part of the global supply chain to BAE and once the JV is finalized in 2010, the transfer of tech and knowledge will also begin. MDS does not intend on reinventing the wheel, and is looking for suitable partners like BAE systems in order to use their know-how and apply it for Indian conditions.