DefExpo 2016: India orders HMVs from Tata
Tata Motors has been awarded a follow-on supply contract by the Indian Army for 619 high-mobility (HMV) 6x6 multi-axle trucks, it announced on 27 March. The contract is in addition to an earlier contract for 1,239 HMVs.
The vehicles have been designed for transportation and loading-unloading of ammunition pallets, spares and other operational equipment. Featuring water and mud fording capabilities, the HMVs are good at negotiating sand dunes, gradients, off-road terrain, and trenches. The vehicle also features a central tyre inflation system.
Vernon Noronha, vice president, defence and government business, Tata Motors, said: ‘With this contract we are proud to have received an additional order for 619 units, of our indigenously developed Tata 6x6 high-mobility vehicle, having cleared rigorous trials and successfully competed against products from rival bidders, from top European and global defence companies, underlining the stringent requirements of the Indian army, and the global standards of our defence offerings.
‘In line with the government’s ‘Make in India’ initiative, we will continue to focus on further developing a comprehensive range of defence vehicles right here in India, including front line combat vehicles such as the FICV, to meet the evolving requirements of defence forces in India, and around the world.’
The vehicle can be customised as medium recovery vehicle, low level quick reaction missile vehicle, quick reaction surface to air missile vehicle, short range surface to air missile vehicle, field service vehicle, missile firing unit or missile service vehicle, multi barrel rocket launcher and common gun tower.
More from Land Warfare
-
Uncrewed ground vehicles put to the test as NATO eyes autonomous shift
The European Land Robot Trials are influenced by NATO researchers seeking to create uncrewed ground vehicle standards for allied Western forces working in multinational task forces.
-
More details revealed on Kosovo’s Humvee Hawkeye 105mm order
The agreement points to growing international interest in mobile and survivable artillery systems, with further orders and export opportunities already emerging.
-
UK Defence Investment Plan: What does it mean for the British Army?
The UK’s Defence Investment Plan splurges big for future air and naval programmes, including new hybrid ships, but there are fewer big-ticket items for British Army vehicles. Shephard’s Damian Kemp looks at the much delayed plan.