Tata Motors has bagged an order to supply around 1200 nos. of its high-mobility 6X6 multi-axle trucks, from the Indian Army – the single largest order awarded to an Indian private OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturers) in land systems under the DPP by the Indian army. The order for 6X6 vehicles is for ‘Material Handling Cranes’ for the loading-unloading and transportation of ammunition pallets, spares and other operational equipment.
Developed indigenously, the Tata 6X6 high mobility all-terrain all-wheel drive vehicle, has completed a total trial duration of 25 months, demonstrating maximum performance in the most demanding conditions. Designed to cope with extreme on or off-road loads, the vehicle has gone through trials like water-fording, on cross country terrains and plains and at VRDE’s (Vehicle Research & Development Establishment) torture track.
Mr. Vernon Noronha, Vice President, Defence & Government Business, Tata Motors Limited said the vehicle is the most technologically advanced High Mobility Load Carrier system ever built here in India.
“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. As leading suppliers of mobility solutions to the country’s security forces, we will shortly commence delivery of these high-mobility vehicles”.
Tata Motors has defence vehicle manufacturing facilities in Jamshedpur and Pune.
It also has a dedicated service team and network for defence products across the length and breadth of the country.
“The Tata 6X6 is easy to maintain, due to accessibility to its aggregates. The vehicle is fitted with central tire inflation system (CTIS) for mobility in soft sand desert conditions. The CTIS allows the driver to adjust the tyre pressure from his seat. The system provides the vehicle with better traction on different types of surfaces, especially when carrying vital and heavy loads,” Tata Motors said.
The Self-Recovery Winch assists in extraction of the vehicle (including other vehicles in the convoy) during operations.
The vehicle’s cabin is modular with HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) and is fully-ready for up-armoring. High ground clearance enables better negotiation of gradients, sand dunes, off-road terrains, trenches with higher water & mud fording capabilities, whilst carrying designated military payloads. The vehicle is also capable of achieving sustained speeds of 40 kmph, on severe cross country terrains.
In combat vehicles, Tata Motors has designed and developed indigenously, the Wheeled Armored Platform (WHAP), an Indian Armoured Personnel Carrier, designed for optimized survivability, all terrain performance and increased lethality. Tata Motors has also developed a Light Armoured Multi-role Vehicle (LAMV), a reconnaissance vehicle, combining mobility, protection and firepower.
Tata Motors has been supplying the defence forces of India since 1958 and has supplied over 1,00,000 vehicles to the Indian military and Paramilitary forces, so far.
The company offers its products and services that not only meet the needs of the domestic market, but are also positioned to meet most stringent requirements across the world. Tata Motors exports its range of specialized defence vehicles to the SAARC, ASEAN and African regions. With Tata Motors rich portfolio in multi-axle range like 12×12, 8×8 & 6×6, the company has started supplying to leading Missile OEMs across the world.