Indian Air Force receives protected vehicles
An image of an LBPV destined for the Infian Air Force. (Ashok Leyland)
The Indian Air Force will be better equipped to defend air bases after delivery of its first armoured vehicles from Ashok Leyland.
In April the Indian auto company Ashok Leyland commenced deliveries of a first batch of 4x4 Light Bullet-Proof Vehicles (LBPV) to the Indian Air Force (IAF). This is the LBPV’s first sale to the Indian military.
Neither Ashok Leyland nor the IAF have stated what the LBPVs will be used for, but Shephard suspects that airfield security will be their primary role.
Indeed, in May 2017 the Indian MoD issued an RfI for air-transportable armoured vehicles to equip the Garud Commando Force. They were to weigh no more than 5t and have a 550kg minimum payload. Specifications of the LBPV
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